The world of work is in full metamorphosis, forever changed by the seismic shifts of the past few years and accelerated by the imminent human-machine teaming revolution. Just as organizations were settling into a new normal – with a focus on hybrid working, comprehensive health and well-being, digitalization, and upskilling – Generative AI (Gen AI) burst onto the scene. Changing not only how people work but the work experience itself, Gen AI has been met with equal measures of unease and excitement. Will it produce a real productivity lift? Can the increased risk exposure be effectively managed, and is it worth it? What will be the permanent impact on the competitive landscape? These are the conversations dominating boardrooms and team chats, with one universal truth emerging: Unlocking the potential of this new world of work means keeping people at the heart of the transformation agenda.

There is no escaping the need for new ways of working and new ways to value workers. The societal dynamics emanating from the last few years (including louder calls for fair pay, better working conditions, and less environmental impact) are aggressively reshaping the work contract. Leading companies are rethinking their People practices and leveraging greater talent science to ensure a more sustainable, equitable and intuitive work experience.

The urgency is coming from all stakeholders. Two in five workers believe that the world of work is fundamentally broken andone in four wish they didn’t have to work at all. People crave the peace of mind that comes with job security and financial well-being – staples that become increasingly important during times of upheaval. Executives are also seeking solid ground, focused on keeping their business running by addressing inflation, digital acceleration, and alternative work models. Climate concerns are hitting closer to home as more frequent extreme weather events impact business continuity. Cyber risk has been bumped from its top spot in 2022, and significantly fewer executives are accounting for an overall heightened risk environment in their plans. HR remains anxious about rising labor costs, managing a remote workforce, and skills shortages. And 89% of asset managers see an engaged workforce as a key driver of company value.