Peter and Mike invited Matthew to present to Aon's senior leadership team in London in early 2020, before Covid-19 hit. His brief was the future of work and skills to 2040: what it means for the world's workforce, workplace and work, and the trends and skills everyone will need to embrace to avoid being upended by the so called Fourth Industrial Revolution, as increasingly capable exponential technologies threaten to automate blue and white collar workers faster than at any point in history.
He balanced the threat with the opportunity for those with the foresight to see the changes coming. Just as Google democratised access to information, he argued, AI will democratise access to expertise and skills, and the session showed plenty of examples.
"Just as Google democratised access to information, Artificial Intelligence will help democratise access to expertise and skills."Matthew Griffin, London, April 2020
Matthew told the team that the next twenty years will bring more technological progress than the last 20,000. As science fiction technologies from biological computers and holograms to light sabers become science fact, and others enable autonomous companies, robo-workers, digital humans and creative machines that invent new products, companies and individuals will have to be more adaptable and flexible than ever.
He closed on an optimistic note. Humanity isn't short of foresight or skills, and with the right societal education and support systems in place we can adapt to the new world of work before it outpaces us.
