The hottest Future of work Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Business Topics

Weekly Top Picks #113

The Algorithmic Bridge • 233 implied HN points • 09 Feb 26
🕹 Technology Future of work
  1. The 'Industrial Revolution' comparison downplays the real human cost of transitions. AI's rapid scale and deskilling could displace many workers and will require policy and social support to protect livelihoods and purpose.
  2. Experts disagree about whether today's models qualify as AGI — big capability gains are real, but consensus is lacking. That debate itself shows how fast AI is changing and how unclear the boundary of 'human-level intelligence' is.
  3. Trust and safety failures like exposed agent networks and data leaks are predictable and damaging, so governance and security matter. Instead of obsessing over what AI can or can't do, start from what people actually want in life and build systems to support those goals.

We're not ready for the year ahead

Make Work Better • 147 implied HN points • 09 Jan 26
💼 Business Future of work
  1. The job market is brutal for candidates right now — mass one‑click applications and automated filters mean many people never get a human to see their CV, and hiring processes drag on for ages.
  2. Employers are overwhelmed by the surge in applicants and are even borrowing dating‑app tricks to help certain candidates stand out, which risks squeezing out mid‑market talent.
  3. This is a year of reckoning for AI: businesses must use AI to augment employees rather than replace them, because augmentation is more likely to deliver real productivity gains over the next few years.

One AGI or many?

AI Supremacy • 609 implied HN points • 15 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Future of work
  1. The post discusses the debate on whether there should be one AGI or multiple AGIs.
  2. The publication explores themes like the Future of Work, AGI, and OpenAI's development.
  3. There is an invitation to subscribe for a 7-day free trial to access more content on AI Supremacy.
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The final post on remote work

Hot Takes • 353 implied HN points • 06 Jun 23
💼 Business Future of work
  1. Remote work is not new and has been predicted, but the pandemic accelerated its adoption.
  2. Properly organized remote work boosts productivity by reducing interruptions.
  3. Investing in remote work leads to personal happiness, stronger communities, and positive environmental impacts.

2034 – A Day in the Working Life

Workforce Futurist by Andy Spence • 488 implied HN points • 30 Oct 24
💼 Business Future of work
  1. In 2034, people have a Lifelong Learning Wallet to improve their skills without the burden of debt. This allows everyone to access education based on their abilities, not their financial situation.
  2. Work has become flexible and collaborative, with projects matching people's skills and interests. Workers earn digital tokens for their contributions, which helps them feel more connected and motivated.
  3. Society now values all contributions, including care work, and uses technology to fairly distribute resources. This new system supports faster solutions to pressing issues like climate change and health crises.

Accepting it's over might be your best survival plan

Make Work Better • 136 implied HN points • 28 May 25
💼 Business Future of work
  1. AI is rapidly evolving and may soon be able to replace many jobs. This change is happening faster than we can adapt, making it important to stay aware of new developments.
  2. Many companies are not yet embracing AI, leading to a divide between those who are prepared for changes and those who are not. This could create job insecurity for many workers in the future.
  3. It’s crucial for individuals and organizations to invest in learning new skills related to AI. Accepting the reality of potential job loss can help us prepare for what's ahead.

About my own interest in the current generative AI craze

Bojan’s Newsletter • 176 implied HN points • 27 Feb 23
🕹 Technology Future of work
  1. The author has not done fundamental work in generative AI, but has potential projects that may go in that direction.
  2. The author's interest in generative AI is linked to their long-term interest in the future of work, which directly affects their professional life.
  3. Generative AI tools have the potential to transform work dynamics significantly, especially in creative fields.

The Best of 2024: 10 Articles That Shaped Our Thinking About the Future of Work

Workforce Futurist by Andy Spence • 244 implied HN points • 26 Dec 24
💼 Business Future of work
  1. The traditional CV might become outdated as AI changes how candidates are matched with jobs. Instead, more creative and personalized profiles may take their place.
  2. Imagine a future where jobs aren't the focus anymore. Instead, people might find new ways to create value and purpose without the traditional job structure.
  3. AI will allow people to build their own digital workforce. This could change productivity and how we think about work by using AI to assist in tasks.

The Coming Skillmageddon

Bojan’s Newsletter • 98 implied HN points • 30 Nov 23
💼 Business Future of work
  1. The future of work is being shaped by the commodification of skills
  2. Leaders need to do more to prepare knowledge workers for the impact of automation
  3. There is a lack of understanding on how to adapt to a future where skills can be easily replaced by machines

A Tentative Manifesto for the Future of Organizations — 5

Pluriversal Planet • 117 implied HN points • 25 Oct 23
💼 Business Future of work
  1. Organizations can be envisioned as living root bridges, nurtured and guided to bring about wholeness in societies.
  2. Wayfinders play a crucial role in shaping the future by imagining new possibilities and transcending old paradigms.
  3. Transition towards a new organizational order requires honoring the past, navigating liminality, imagining new systems, and integrating emergent practices.

On language, language models and writing

imperfect offerings • 119 implied HN points • 21 Apr 23
🚌 Education Future of work
  1. AI tools like language models cannot be credited with authorship in academic publications due to lack of accountability and responsibility for the work.
  2. Universities need to consider the implications of students using AI writing tools and ensure they are transparent, accountable, and responsible for their own use of these systems.
  3. Writing is a social technology that shapes new selves and identities, and universities play a crucial role in shaping what writing is, what it does for individuals, and why it matters.

Will AI replace 'knowledge workers'?

Nick Merrill • 78 implied HN points • 12 May 23
🕹 Technology Future of work
  1. AI may replicate work of 'knowledge workers' but many of these jobs may never have been necessary in the first place
  2. Uncertainty about AI replacing jobs is at the core of the discussion, and it's linked to broader societal structures
  3. There could be a possible third path towards liberation for people among the discourse around AI and knowledge work

AI, Spud Club and the future of work

Make Work Better • 98 implied HN points • 11 Dec 24
💼 Business Future of work
  1. Many workers feel lost about how their companies plan to use AI technology. This gap is leading to uncertainty as AI becomes more integrated into workplaces.
  2. There's been a rise in innovative team-building activities like 'Spud Club,' showing that simple, affordable lunches can create strong team connections and improve workplace culture.
  3. The future of work will focus on the human element, emphasizing teamwork and personal connections, even as technology advances.

🔮 Rise of Exponential Orgs, 🔑 Candidate Experiences, 🌎 Global Attitudes on AI, 🏔️ GenZ Expectations vs Reality

Work3 - The Future of Work • 58 implied HN points • 20 Jun 23
💼 Business Future of work
  1. Organizations are adapting to AI by becoming more efficient and leveraging new technologies.
  2. Improving candidate experiences is crucial, as engagement levels are high but attraction and conversion could be better.
  3. Accenture's $3 billion investment in AI shows the increasing importance of AI in the future of work.

Avoiding Career Irrelevance.

The Future Does Not Fit In The Containers Of The Past • 85 implied HN points • 17 Nov 24
💼 Business Future of work
  1. We will likely have longer careers, so we need to plan for working into our 70s or beyond. Preparing for this means thinking ahead about our skills and growth.
  2. It's important to keep learning throughout our careers. No one can rely on their past education, so we should invest in continuous learning to stay relevant.
  3. Jobs will change from fixed roles to dynamic tasks. We need to be flexible and adaptable, working like gig workers even within traditional firms.

The future of work: Pt 1:

The Jolly Contrarian • 39 implied HN points • 06 Nov 23
💼 Business Future of work
  1. Lockdown during the pandemic was a chance to test new ways of working and learn important lessons for the future of work.
  2. The discussion around the future of office work is divided between those who believe everything has changed and those who advocate for returning to the traditional office setting.
  3. Human systems and behaviors are complex, and real change in the commercial world takes time to unfold as it depends on deep-seated cultural layers and incentives.

E4: The AI Moment w/ Amjad Masad, Flo Crivello, Antonio Gracia Martinez and Dan Romero

The Cognitive Revolution • 19 implied HN points • 01 Mar 23
🕹 Technology Future of work
  1. AI is rapidly advancing in various areas like text generation and language models, shaping our future.
  2. AI could revolutionize the job market with increased freelancing, entrepreneurship, and individual leverage.
  3. There are differing opinions on the implications and future of AI, from transformative impacts to skepticism about its actual productiveness.

Fractionalized Employment Now!

The Future Does Not Fit In The Containers Of The Past • 51 implied HN points • 10 Mar 24
💼 Business Future of work
  1. Work identity is crucial but we are more than just our jobs - we have various other roles and passions.
  2. New workplace trends are emerging due to forces like AI, aging populations, COVID-19 mindset shifts, and side gigs.
  3. Fractionalized employment, where employees work a percentage of time, can provide flexibility, talent retention, better work-life balance, and cost savings.

Career Bending Times.

The Future Does Not Fit In The Containers Of The Past • 82 implied HN points • 23 Apr 23
💼 Business Future of work
  1. The future of careers is changing with various intertwined forces like technology, globalization, and shifts in work culture.
  2. Individuals will need to adapt to longer careers, continuous learning, and a gig-based work environment to stay relevant.
  3. Leaders must focus on developing talent, embracing change, and seeing the future as a place for growth and transformation.

ChatGPT, Please Take My Job!

Apricitas Economics • 60 implied HN points • 04 Mar 23
🕹 Technology Future of work
  1. Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) could lead to a rise in global human employment by creating new and more productive job opportunities.
  2. Humans are not like horses; the economy is driven by human needs and desires, and there is no limit to the value humans can derive from the economy.
  3. In a future with AGI, humans may have a comparative advantage in tasks requiring physical dexterity, social interaction, solving 'last mile' problems, and areas where people are an essential part of the service provided.