The future of work is a hot topic, especially with AI shaking things up in ways we can't ignore. This episode dives deep into this question with Rebecca Hinds—not just any guest, she’s got a PhD in how AI transforms work and leads the Work Transformation Lab at Glean. We discuss how organizations are currently using AI and what that means for the structure of work in the future. Rebecca shares her insights from research showing that it’s not just about individuals adopting AI, but how teams and entire organizations can leverage it to improve workflows and collaboration. We explore the challenges companies face in scaling AI and how a more integrated approach can change the game for everyone involved.

Alongside her research, Rebecca also brings a practical lens to collaboration as the author of Your Best Meeting Ever, a blueprint for transforming meetings from time-wasters into powerful tools for teamwork and innovation.

Takeaways:

• The future of work is heavily influenced by AI, but there's still much uncertainty about its impact on jobs and organizations.
• Organizations struggle with AI adoption as many employees remain skeptical and are fearful of being replaced by technology.
• Successful deployment of AI requires understanding workflows and empowering the right influencers within organizations to drive change.
• The transformation of work is not just about individual tasks but rethinking entire work streams and team dynamics in a collaborative manner.
• AI has the potential to automate busy work, allowing employees to focus on more strategic and creative tasks, leading to a more engaged workforce.
• Creating a psychologically safe environment is crucial for employees to share their experiences and ideas about using AI without fear of negative repercussions.

Links referenced in this episode:

• Your Best Meeting Ever, by Rebecca Hinds

Companies mentioned in this episode:

• Feedforward
• Asana
• Glean