AI to diversity: What to expect at the workplace this year ISTOCKPHOTO

The year 2023 saw several changes to the workplace.

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After two years of a work-from-home regime, India Inc returned to the physical office. The conventional five-day-a-week model seems redundant, with most surveys globally concluding that employees prefer hybrid or remote work. Trends like "Bare Minimum Mondays" and "Coffee Badging", screamed that employees want greater autonomy and flexibility at work, highlighting an increased focus on work-life balance.

The use of generative AI as a powerful tool for businesses was arguably the biggest highlight of 2023. Several companies, including Google and Microsoft, introduced or improvised on their AI tools due to an increasing demand for AI assistants.

But, employees also harboured apprehensions of the technology replacing them in the future, pushing them to reskill. Here's a look at some of the trends that will rule the workplace of 2024.

AI IS HERE TO STAY

Technology is all-pervasive in shaping the industry's approach to the workplace. Generative AI and automation tools are streamlining tasks, while immersive technologies like VR and AR are enhancing collaboration and training experiences. In India, almost 75% of professionals have embraced AI tools for writing and editing, image and video creation and writing code and have saved about 4.9 hours per week, according to Slack, which surveyed 2,039 desk workers from India in 2023.

Upasna Nischal, the head of human resources (India) at Fidelity International, which offers investment solutions and services and retirement expertise, says in 2024, the narrative will be about the art of leveraging Al's transformative capabilities to drive innovation and operational efficiency.