Institute for the Future of Work
@ifow.org
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An independent research and development institute exploring how new technologies are transforming work and working lives. http://www.ifow.org Subscribe to our newsletter: https://www.ifow.org/newsletter
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Successful technological adoption rests on fully engaged human management and a foregrounding of the importance of workplace cultures. Our report below unpicks how new technologies like AI are altering established paces of work - and what this could mean for workers:
Taking work, or changing work? Understanding how technology adoption is reshaping work in the UK - IFOW
How are UK workers actually experiencing technological change?
www.ifow.org
ifow.org
But how should this newly freed-up time be used? Unmanaged, time savings do not guarantee productivity gains or improved worker wellbeing. How do we ensure that adopting new technologies does not lead to work intensification or reduced autonomy for workers?
ifow.org
Successful technological adoption rests on fully engaged human management and a foregrounding of the importance of workplace cultures. Our report below unpicks how new technologies like AI are altering established paces of work - and what this could mean for workers:
Taking work, or changing work? Understanding how technology adoption is reshaping work in the UK - IFOW
How are UK workers actually experiencing technological change?
www.ifow.org
ifow.org
Small businesses could save a day a week if they use AI, recent research from Google claims. For a long time, technology has promised to increase productivity while creating more free time for workers to spend on more valuable or ‘rewarding' tasks.
Small businesses could save a day a week if they use AI, Google claims
Research by Google found that AI-powered tools could boost productivity among small and medium enterprises by 20%.
www.independent.co.uk
ifow.org
Successful technological adoption rests on fully engaged human management and a foregrounding of the importance of workplace cultures. Our report below unpicks how new technologies are altering established paces of work - and what this could mean for workers:
Taking work, or changing work? Understanding how technology adoption is reshaping work in the UK - IFOW
How are UK workers actually experiencing technological change?
www.ifow.org
ifow.org
But what should this newly freed-up time used for? Unmanaged, time savings do not guarantee increased productivity and improved worker wellbeing. How do we ensure the changing pace of work does not lead to increased work intensification or reduced autonomy?
ifow.org
We were delighted to attend @fesonline.bsky.social Future of Work Conference in Brussels this week, gathering political, academic, trade union and civil partners from across Europe. We look forward to sharing more practical ways to support and create the good jobs that lead to a fairer society.
ifow.org
Autonomy, dignity, fair pay - these are some key principles that underpin good work. Great to be discussing how to support good transitions into work at the @conservatives.bsky.social Party Conference yesterday with @ippr.org and @thespectator1828.bsky.social. Read our full Good Work Charter below:
The Good Work Charter - IFOW
Our Good Work Charter provides an organising framework for aspiration, alignment and action to shape a fairer future of better work
www.ifow.org
ifow.org
Great to be in Brussels as guests of FES Future of Work, who convened an excellent 'lab' day with economists, academics, trades unions and policymakers discussing work as a key site for social democracy.
ifow.org
As the first October weekend approaches, here's a reminder that our monthly newsletter was sent out yesterday.

Here's the full piece on our website:
October Newsletter - Party conferences and tackling Britain's youth unemployment - IFOW
How to tackle Britain's growing youth unemployment crisis
www.ifow.org
ifow.org
Our October newsletter is here!

September saw sharpened national focus on the #FutureofWork, with party conference announcements this week on the Youth Guarantee scheme and the PM's pledge to increase numbers enrolled in higher technical courses and apprenticeships. Read all about it here:
October Newsletter - Party conferences and tackling Britain's youth unemployment - IFOW
How to tackle Britain's growing youth unemployment crisis
www.ifow.org
Reposted by Institute for the Future of Work
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Great to be in Liverpool today with @eyfoundation.bsky.social for expert round table of MPs, careers support specialists and firms presenting on how young people from lower-income backgrounds can access better jobs in this era of AI turbulence. Motivation is key, as is time for reflective practice.
ifow.org
Drawing on research from our Pissarides Review, Oliver highlighted the persistent importance of interpersonal skills and human capabilities throughout the rapid emergence and obsolescence of more technical skills. Read more from our report Old Skills, New Skills below:
Old Skills, New Skills - what is changing in the UK labour market? - IFOW
How is demand for skills changing in the UK? Using data from 2016 and 2022, this report reveals which sectors are experiencing most flux.
www.ifow.org
ifow.org
Oliver responded to a BBC report published today that explores the transformational impacts of new technologies across workplaces. The report looks at how @lgtnhs.bsky.social uses a robot to dispense medicines which are then administered by clinicians, augmenting rather than fully automating work.
AI could impact a million jobs in London, research suggests
The jobs most at risk include telemarketing, bookkeeping and data entry, according to research.
www.bbc.co.uk
ifow.org
Great to have our Associate Director @oliver-nash.bsky.social on BBC Radio London this morning, discussing the importance of human-centric skills in an ever technologising labour market, as heard below:
ifow.org
Young people really value being given the space to engage in reflective exercises around the future of work - as early feedback from our pilots reveals. We're hugely looking forward to sharing more on our findings at party conferences and to publishing a full Stage 2 report at the end of October.
Motivating futures - helping young people from low-income backgrounds to thrive in a changing world of work - IFOW
How can intrinsic and internalised motivation help young people from low-income backgrounds access better jobs?
www.ifow.org
ifow.org
Yesterday we were in Birmingham again with @eyfoundation.bsky.social running pilot interventions with young people from low-income backgrounds.

The Motivating Futures workshops are designed to cultivate intrinsic motivation and help young people towards futures of work that align with their values.
ifow.org
We're #hiring! IFOW is looking for a Policy and Public Affairs Lead to build our policy development, advocacy, and external engagement strategy.

The role will help shape policy debates, coordinate our parliamentary engagement, and expand IFOW’s influence across the policy ecosystem.

Apply below:
We're hiring - Policy and Public Affairs Lead - IFOW
We're hiring - Policy and Public Affairs Lead
www.ifow.org
ifow.org
Over the year, we've been working with firms experimenting with and adopting new automated technologies, as part of our Responsible AI Sandbox. The project promotes principles of Good Work and builds insights into the governance and regulation needed to build fairer futures of work across the UK.
Responsible AI Sandbox - IFOW
Centring good work in AI governance
www.ifow.org
ifow.org
Dr Abby Gilbert discussed the impacts of UK businesses adopting SaaS on work automation, industrial restructuring and economic sovereignty. Through this technological transition, we should be investing in the skills of those in the UK SaaS ecosystem to ensure the value of data supports our economy.
ifow.org
Prior to the US-UK tech deal announcements last week, our Co-Director @abbygkgilbert.bsky.social spoke at @cambridgetechweek.bsky.social
about the need to manage risks for UK businesses integrating Software as a Service (SaaS) hosted by US big tech into workplaces and systems.
ifow.org
Was so great to be a part of this forum on GenAI and the Novel - really excited to Dr @clemicollett.bsky.social's work published later this year.

It's a vital and urgent call for the UK to celebrate and sustain the creative industries - one of the finest jewels in our cultural and economic crown.
ifow.org
Building trust in workplaces is essential, especially during times of rapid technological transition. We're working with firms and managers over the coming weeks on human-centred tech adoption, supporting safe and dignified AI deployment.

Read about our project with @cipd.bsky.social here:
CIPD and Innovate's Responsible AI - IFOW
CIPD and Innovate launch collaboration on Responsible AI, with partnership from the Institute for the Future of Work.
www.ifow.org