GenAI set to transform workplace dynamics by 2025

The advent of Generative AI (GenAI) is anticipated to significantly influence the nature of work, according to insights recently shared by Mark Mader, President and CEO of Smartsheet.

Mark Mader highlighted that GenAI, through its democratisation, could lead to a shift in hiring practices. "Organisations have spent a disproportionate amount of capital hiring hyper-specialised talent with deep technical knowledge for years. Now, with the democratisation of GenAI, the value offered by hiring 'capable generalists' is on the rise. People who articulately frame their thoughts, pose well-formed questions (prompts), and exercise AI tools to their advantage, stand to benefit greatly," Mader stated.

He suggested that while there will still be a steadfast demand for specialised AI talent, including model developers and AI operations talent, the demand for non-technical talent will transition towards a more balanced state. "Organisations will place as much worth on employees with the skills to extract value from platforms as those who build them," Mader added.

As organisations begin to experiment with GenAI, Mader foresees that it will lead to enhanced efficiency in the workplace. "Over the past year, many of us have started experimenting with GenAI to work smarter and faster, and this has raised questions about how this new technology will impact knowledge workers' roles," he commented. Mader expects that GenAI will be applied to streamline and eliminate repetitive tasks, allowing workers to focus more on strategic and creative responsibilities.

"This will allow knowledge workers to shift their focus, freeing their time to work on the aspects of their roles that are more strategic and creative. As a result, we'll start to see more innovation," he mentioned. Companies that embrace GenAI may find themselves with a competitive edge, as they are expected to meet growing demands more efficiently.

Looking further into the future, Mader predicts the integration of AI into routine work processes will become more prevalent by 2025. "This year, an unbelievable amount of software came online that enables people to take advantage of AI in the context of their daily work. In 2025, AI will become part of the everyday fabric of work," he envisioned. The increase in AI adoption is expected to be substantial, with more individuals utilising AI within familiar software environments.

Mader concluded by observing that integrating AI with existing software would help reduce the friction of changing applications. "People will know where to start, and when they see results generated, they'll usually have a better sense of whether the result is accurate," he said. These trends are expected to be crucial for businesses aiming to maintain competitiveness in an ever-evolving environment.