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The Future of Work: How Tech is Changing Roles, Skills & Organisations

The Future of Work: How Tech is Changing Roles, Skills & Organisations

Technological innovation is fundamentally reshaping the way we work. Artificial intelligence (AI), automation and digital tools are no longer confined to IT teams; they touch every function of an organisation. As we look ahead, leaders need to understand how these forces are changing roles, the skills employees need and even the way companies are structured.

Technology is transforming roles

AI and big data are among the fastest‑growing skill areas according to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs report (The Future of Jobs Report 2025 | World Economic Forum). The integration of networks and cybersecurity, alongside broader technological literacy, means that almost every profession will interact with digital systems. In addition to creating new job categories (e.g., prompt engineers, data ethicists), AI will augment existing roles, allowing employees to focus on higher‑value tasks while automation handles repetitive work.

New skills for the new era

It’s not just technical skills that are in demand. The Future of Jobs report notes that creative thinking, resilience, flexibility and agility are rising in importance (The Future of Jobs Report 2025 | World Economic Forum). Gartner’s 2025 future‑of‑work trends highlight the need for diversity and inclusion and the integration of AI into daily workflows to enhance productivity (Future of Work Trends 2025: Strategic Insights for CHROs). Digital upskilling is therefore required across the workforce; McKinsey observes that “digital upskilling is not just for tech teams anymore—it can help all employees thrive” (We’re all techies now: Digital skill building for the future). Workday’s research also shows that more than half of organisations are adopting skills‑based approaches and look for employees who are adaptable and open to learning (Future Professions You Need to Skill Up For).

Core skills for the future include:

  • AI and data literacy – understanding how to interpret and apply insights from data.
  • Cybersecurity awareness – protecting information assets in an increasingly connected world.
  • Creative problem‑solving – applying imagination to design new products and services.
  • Adaptability and lifelong learning – continuously updating skills to keep pace with innovation.
  • Collaborative leadership – working effectively across teams and with AI agents.

Organisational implications

Organisations are evolving as technology permeates every aspect of work. Many companies are moving toward flatter, skills‑first structures where employees are valued for their capabilities rather than their job titles. Gartner notes that embracing AI and focusing on employee wellbeing and inclusion can enhance innovation (Future of Work Trends 2025: Strategic Insights for CHROs). The PwC AI Jobs Barometer shows that workers with AI skills command a significant wage premium and that AI‑exposed industries are seeing faster wage and skill changes (The Fearless Future: 2025 Global AI Jobs Barometer). This suggests that investing in AI literacy and responsible adoption will be critical to attract and retain talent.

How to prepare

Business leaders can take concrete steps to navigate this transition:

  1. Invest in continuous learning – create internal academies and sponsor external courses to help employees develop AI, data and other digital skills.
  2. Promote a culture of experimentation – encourage teams to pilot AI tools and share lessons learned.
  3. Emphasise soft skills – provide training in creativity, communication and resilience to complement technical knowledge.
  4. Design for inclusion – ensure that AI adoption supports diversity and avoids reinforcing biases.
  5. Align structure with skills – develop roles and career paths that reflect the capabilities your organisation needs.

The future of work will be shaped by how effectively organisations blend human creativity with machine intelligence. By equipping employees with the right mix of technical and soft skills and by fostering inclusive, flexible cultures, companies can thrive in this new era.