Digital Futures of Work
Global Conference
New Realities, New Possibilities
1 - 3
November 2023
9am - 5pm (GMT +8)
VOCO Orchard Hotel, Singapore
The conference has concluded with great success
Decode the future of work with us.
The Digital Futures of Work Global Conference (1-3 Nov) delves into the complexities and realities of AI and the future of work. It convenes societal actors in an open dialogue to discuss the unconventional findings from the Digital Futures of Work Research Programme of a challenging future of work ahead. It seeks to inspire action to steer the fourth industrial revolution towards novel models of human-centricity, productivity and shared prosperity.
Our Research
The Digital Futures of Work Research Programme is the most extensive study on AI and the future of work today, based on adoption patterns. It examined patterns of activity across 10+ digital hubs around the world including Silicon Valley, Singapore, London, Seoul, Helsinki, Berlin and more.
Between 2021-2023, 500+ qualitative interviews were conducted with corporate heads, education and training heads, policy makers, technologists and professionals in these digital hubs. Trends analysis using 8 major national and global datasets were also conducted.
The findings point to a challenging future of work ahead of AI technologies being used to automate, standardise and redistribute complex work – the very category of jobs that have been powering social mobility across societies. Decisive steps need to be taken by societal actors at all levels to recalibrate the trajectory of the fourth industrial revolution towards human-centricity, productivity and shared prosperity.
Key Topics
Making sense of the 'fourth industrial revolution': choices to be made
Have we properly understood the ‘fourth industrial revolution’? Optimistic assumptions of creating better job opportunities for everyone is not materialising as expected.
Reimagining AI, corporate innovation and productivity
Are organisations – large and small – making wise choices on how best to use AI technologies to set their organisations on a pathway towards higher productivity and agility in complex ecosystems?
What futures for education, skills and lifelong learning?
Are we preparing learners for the right industrial revolution? How do we best harness AI technologies for education, learning and lifelong empowerment?
Recalibrating the trajectory of the fourth industrial revolution: policy choices
No longer can we assume that education, technology and work will create better jobs for all. What policy options are possible for a fairer future of work?
Main Conference (Hybrid), 1 November 2023, 0900H – 1700H (GMT +8)
The Main Conference presents the topline findings from the research programme of a challenging future of work ahead. It calls for collective action to recalibrate the trajectory of the ‘fourth industrial revolution’ to channel its potential towards novel paradigms of productivity, human-centric advancement of technologies, and inclusive prosperity.
Reimagining Workshops, 2 – 3 November 2023
The Reimagining Workshops engage participants in a deep dive into research insights anchored around the themes of productivity, human centricity, education and lifelong learning, social inclusion and shared prosperity.
Main Conference
Wednesday, 1 November 2023 (GMT +8)
Hybrid conference, streaming live from VOCO Orchard Hotel, Singapore
09:00
Welcome and introductions
Welcome
Professor Tan Tai Yong
President, Singapore University of Social Sciences
Remarks
Professor Wendy Larner
President and Vice-Chancellor, Cardiff University
Opening address
Tan Kok Yam
Chief Executive of SkillsFuture Singapore and the Council Chairman of the Institute for Adult Learning, Singapore University of Social Sciences
09:20
Making sense of the ‘fourth industrial revolution’: choices to be made
Professor Phillip Brown, Distinguished Research Professor, Cardiff University, & Director of the Digital Futures of Work Research Programme
Professor Phillip Brown, Distinguished Research Professor, Cardiff University, & Director of the Digital Futures of Work Research Programme
Have we properly understood the ‘fourth industrial revolution’? Bringing in data from digital hubs in Silicon Valley, Singapore, London, South Korea and more, Professor Brown lays the evidence that optimistic assumptions of creating better job opportunities for everyone is not materialising as expected. In the unbundling of work that is taking place at scale, AI technologies are being used more purposively on knowledge work, rather than to shed low and mid-skilled forms of work. Occurring at a time when the world has the most well-qualified workforce in human history, it creates a conundrum for all – be it corporations making decisions on their human-technology strategies, heads of education and training preparing learners for a world in which complex jobs may be scarce, and policymakers responding to a highly-educated middle class. The trajectory of AI’s impact on knowledge work is not predetermined. The choices we make today as a society on how to harness and deploy AI technologies will shape our economic and social structures for decades to come.
Professor Phillip Brown
Distinguished Research Professor, Cardiff University, and Director of the Digital Futures of Work Research Programme
Panel discussion and Q&A
Himanshu Tambe
CEO and Co-Founder, COSMODE Consultants (Singapore-India)
Gavin Chua
Vice Chair, SGTech (Singapore)
Minh Le
Chief Customer Officer, Filum.ai (Vietnam)
Sravani Dandu
Machine Learning Scientist, Comcast (US)
10:45
Refreshments
11:10
Reimagining AI, corporate innovation and productivity
Sahara Sadik, Assistant Director (Research), Institute for Adult Learning, Singapore University of Social Sciences, and Deputy Director of the Digital Futures of Work Research Programme
Sahara Sadik, Assistant Director (Research), Institute for Adult Learning, Singapore University of Social Sciences, and Deputy Director of the Digital Futures of Work Research Programme
Opportunities to reorganise almost all aspects of business exist with digital technologies. But are organisations – large and small – making wise choices on how best to use AI technologies to set their organisations on a pathway towards higher productivity and agility in complex ecosystems? Data collected from 160 firms worldwide debunk myths that there is a trade-off between a people-centric approach to AI innovation and achieving corporate profitability. In fact, concerned business leaders and technologists are cautioning against indiscriminate AI automation that will undercut the source of the productivity of a company and agility for the future. This presentation introduces a human-centric framework for AI technological innovation – one that seamlessly integrates elements of business, human resources, and AI technologies in innovative ways. It draws upon the collective wisdom and perspectives of corporate strategists, technologists, HR and learning experts, as well as labour sociologists. How we reimagine AI, corporate innovation and productivity is a crucial piece for putting the gears of the ‘fourth industrial revolution’ back on track for expansive opportunities and shared prosperity.
Sahara Sadik
Assistant Director (Research), Institute for Adult Learning, Singapore University of Social Sciences, and Deputy Director of the Digital Futures of Work Research Programme
Panel discussion and Q&A
Daniel James
No.10 Downing Street Innovation Fellow (UK)
Connor Clark-Lindh
Vice President, Global Digital Operations, Yara (Singapore)
Kristian Francis
Director, Search Simple LLC (Japan)
Ong Woon Lit
Senior Director, Production System Excellence, Pfizer Global Supply (Singapore)
12:30
Lunch
13:40
What futures for education, skills and lifelong learning?
Professor David James, Professor of Sociology of Education, Cardiff University
Professor David James, Professor of Sociology of Education, Cardiff University
Are we preparing learners for the right industrial revolution? As the capacity for the labour market to absorb large numbers of graduates slows down, a vocationalising agenda has emerged to make learners job-ready for plug-and-play into firms. Part of the strategy includes unbundling the preparation of learners into skills, MOOCs, microlearning, microcredentials, work attachments and more. Does the unbundling agenda have unintended consequences – of learners being more easily picked up for substitution and deskilling by AI technologies? The presentation will outline a model for capability-development amidst a changing world. It will also highlight the crucial role that education, training and lifelong learning institutions play as sites that keep learners whole amidst the onrush of digital technologies, and uneven digital opportunities. It will also discuss expansive ways in which digital technologies may be harnessed to deliver meaningful educational opportunities for all.
Professor David James
Professor of Sociology of Education, Cardiff University, and Collaborator of the Digital Futures of Work Research Programme
Panel discussion and Q&A
Dr Berlin Tran
Lecturer, International School of Business, University of Economics Ho Chi Minh (Vietnam)
Dr Ga Woon Ban
Senior Research Fellow, Korea Research Institute for Education and Training (KRIVET) and Visiting Senior Fellow, London School of Economics and Political Science (South Korea)
Raquel Broman
Head of Training, AI Sweden (Sweden)
Tan Li Sheng
Director, Higher Education Planning Office, Ministry of Education (Singapore)
15:00
Refreshments
15:25
Recalibrating the trajectory of the fourth industrial revolution: policy choices
Professor Ewart Keep, Professor Emeritus, Oxford University & Member, Centre on Skills, Knowledge & Organisational Performance (SKOPE), and Collaborator of the Digital Futures of Work Research Programme
Professor Ewart Keep, Professor Emeritus, Oxford University & Member, Centre on Skills, Knowledge & Organisational Performance (SKOPE), and Collaborator of the Digital Futures of Work Research Programme
No longer can we assume that education, technology and work will create better jobs for all. What policy options are possible for a fairer future of work? This presentation discusses the policy capacity for reconnecting societal actors in new ways to unlock human potential, so that we can fully harnessed the capabilities of the most educated workforce in human history in an age of AI. What AI policies for jobs, skills and education are meaningful and needs to be pursued, balancing different societal interests?
Professor Ewart Keep
Professor Emeritus, Oxford University, Centre on Skills, Knowledge & Organisational Performance (SKOPE)
Panel discussion and Q&A
Sahara Sadik
Assistant Director (Research), Institute for Adult Learning, Singapore University of Social Sciences (Singapore)
Professor Hubert Ertl
Vice President and Director of Research of the German Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (BIBB) (Germany)
Laurence Liew
Director, AI Innovation, AI Singapore (Singapore)
Riku Mäkelä
Ecosystem Manager, Business Finland (Finland)
Uma Rani
Senior Economist, International Labour Organisation (Switzerland)
16:45
What’s next: laying out the agenda
Professor Phillip Brown, Distinguished Research Professor, Cardiff University, & Director of the Digital Futures of Work Research Programme
Professor Phillip Brown, Distinguished Research Professor, Cardiff University, & Director of the Digital Futures of Work Research Programme
Professor Phillip Brown
Distinguished Research Professor, Cardiff University, and Director of the Digital Futures of Work Research Programme
16:55
Closing remarks
Associate Professor (Practice) Yeo Li Pheow, Executive Director for the Institute for Adult Learning, Singapore University of Social Sciences
Associate Professor (Practice) Yeo Li Pheow, Executive Director for the Institute for Adult Learning, Singapore University of Social Sciences
Yeo Li Pheow
Executive Director, Institute for Adult Learning, Singapore University of Social Sciences
17:00
Close of Day 1
Reimagining Workshops
2 & 3 November 2023
Physical meeting only
Thursday, 2 November 2023
09:00 - 12:00
Concurrent Session 1: Humans x AI – empowering human-centric transformations
Dive deep into our data-driven framework on human-centric deployment of AI technologies combining business, people and AI in expansive ways. Contribute to our open-source development of working principles, methodologies, and scenarios. Case studies of human-centric use of AI and related digital technologies will also be tabled for discussion.
This session is for corporate strategists, technologists, business line leaders, HR and L&D leaders.
Concurrent Session 2: Reimagining the productive work-life and social mobility
Is there an opportunity to reimagine the meaning of a ‘productive work-life’? Delve into our data to explore occupational and job market trends that offer a nuanced picture of what the future of ‘meritocratic’ opportunities may entail. Contemplate the evolving landscape for social mobility, and discuss the possibilities to advance new models of social mobility.
This session is for professionals, researchers, policymakers, line managers, HR and L&D specialists, educators.
14:00 - 17:00
Concurrent Session 3: Reimagining AI and the future of work - national approaches in the fourth industrial revolution
Which national policy approaches have the best prospects for delivering economic transformation for a better future of work? Dive deep into the rich data collected by the research team on different policymaking approaches in Finland, Germany, Singapore, S.Korea, UK, US and Vietnam.
This session is for policymakers, unions, non-profits.
Concurrent Session 4: Future of education, learning technologies and lifelong learning
What does ‘keeping learners whole’ mean in an age of AI? Dive deep into our data that shows how current responses to the disruptive effects of AI innovation may risk fragmenting and diminishing learners’ abilities and potential. Explore fundamentally different assumptions and approaches in terms of how edtech and learntech solutions are being developed. Evaluate the merits and drawbacks of each approach, and consider the most ethical and effective ways to utilize AI technologies in education and learning for lifelong empowerment.
This session is for heads of education and training, HR and L&D leaders, educators.
Friday, 3 November 2023
09:00 - 13:00
Concurrent Session 5: Singapore in the ‘fourth industrial revolution’
This session is structured as a reflective discussion aimed at discussing new policy challenges and opportunities for Singapore’s success in the ‘fourth industrial revolution’. Participants will have the opportunity to review and reflect on the key materials and ideas discussed during the Digital Futures of Work Conference. The activities are carefully crafted to encourage dialogue and exploration of fresh approaches.
This session is for Singapore policymakers.
Concurrent Session 6: Training and adult education (TAE) sector in the ‘fourth industrial revolution’
This session is organised as a reflective discussion to explore the vital role of the Training and Adult Education (TAE) sector in countering the disruptive effects of AI. Participants will have the opportunity to review and reflect on the key materials and ideas discussed during the Digital Futures of Work Conference. The activities are carefully crafted to encourage dialogue and exploration of fresh approaches.
This session is for TAE organisations / practitioners.
Speakers
Phillip Brown
Distinguished Research Professor, Cardiff University, and Director of the Digital Futures of Work Research Programme
Sahara Sadik
Assistant Director (Research), Institute for Adult Learning, Singapore University of Social Sciences, and Deputy Director of the Digital Futures of Work Research Programme
David James
Professor of Sociology of Education, Cardiff University, and Collaborator of the Digital Futures of Work Research Programme
Ewart Keep
Professor Emeritus, Oxford University, Centre on Skills, Knowledge & Organisational Performance (SKOPE), and Collaborator of the Digital Futures of Work Research Programme
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