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Humans and AI: Creating the Future of Work we all want

Published: Saturday 8th of February 2025

My new book Humans and AI: Future of Work was written to offer both guidance and inspiration for how to 'Embrace AI for Good, redesign work with the right intentions, and reshape our world'. The book offers a blueprint for adopting AI responsibly. Whether you're a leader striving to future-proof your organisation or an individual navigating concerns about technological change, my insights aim to resonate with clarity and urgency.

My career and expertise has always been in helping organisations to adopt the latest technology, but I’ve always done that in ways that put people, and users, first.  This book is no different. Because no matter what technology advances we use, it is motivated people that make things happen.

Redesigning the Organisation

The future of work needs a new approach to organisational design. Successful organisations will be those that seamlessly blend human ingenuity with AI capabilities. By following the frameworks I outline, leaders can craft workplaces that drive productivity, efficiency, profitability, and innovation while still prioritising employee well-being and security.

Key to this transformation is a cultural, not just technological, shift. My roadmap empowers leaders to craft bespoke designs tailored to their unique visions, from the radical to the subtle, ensuring technological advancements work as a force multiplier for success.

Preventing Job Displacement

AI transforms workplaces rapidly, which creates mixed feelings of excitement and worry among professionals worldwide. People fear robots might replace their jobs, but the vision of the workplace I offer looks different from these concerns.

But first imagine a world, a society, the poverty and crime levels, if all the companies in the world displaced workers in favour of robots. People need to be at the centre of our redesign, because yes, passing tasks, jobs, and processes to robots can give us efficiencies and cost-savings and increased revenue, but robots don’t have ambition, creativity, and drive; people do.

We should also remember that robots do not pay tax, and robots do not spend money in our businesses, people do. Keeping an active workforce who contribute taxes and have disposable income is essential for economies to operate successfully. Organisations who want to operate in a thriving economy need to carefully enact policies that utilise the technology, but also prioritise the job security of employees and the health of the economy.

We need organisations, governments and institutions to work together to implement ethical frameworks that balance tech advances with human needs, including:

  • Supporting ongoing people development through digital skills programmes
  • Keeping jobs secure by focusing on increasing rather than replacing roles
  • Creating support mechanisms and a clear path forward for roles affected by AI and automation
  • Making sure AI’s benefits reach everyone fairly

Success depends on a shift from viewing technology as worker replacement to understanding how humans and machines complement each other.

Empowering Workers Through Human-Centric AI

AI can enhance, not replace, human endeavours. By aligning human strengths with the capabilities of cognitive computing, we can create workplaces that value a synergy of AI and humans working together, enabling leaders to free employees from repetitive tasks, unlocking their capacity to innovate, create, and above all, value human connection.

Human-AI partnerships excel when each participant's unique strengths receive recognition and respect. We need humans to oversee AI systems to ensure the technology operates without bias and serves its purpose, aligned with our intentions. The most successful partnerships happen when:

  • Humans focus on relationship building, empathetic decision-making, and creative problem-solving
  • AI handles data processing, pattern recognition, and routine task automation
  • Teams collaborate with clear responsibilities and open communication

For workers, AI can be a tool that liberates time and energy. Freed from mundane tasks, employees can engage in higher-value activities like strategic thinking, problem-solving, and personal development. Imagine a workplace where employees have the "gift of time" to focus on what truly matters. Such a vision isn’t utopian; it’s achievable through the principles laid out in my book.

Using AI for Social Good

My vision extends beyond organisational walls, advocating for a collective, global commitment to use AI ethically and responsibly.

We need to act with intention for how the use of AI, robotics, and other cognitive tech advances will shape the future of work.  We have an unprecedented opportunity right now to use AI for good in the world, and to enhance the lives of workers, not replace them. But we cannot leave this to chance, we need to establish trust that those building the technology and those regulating the technology will work to make things better for all of us.

AI must be a force for social progress. I envision a future where reduced working hours, universal basic income, and increased focus on arts, culture, and community engagement become the norm. By adopting AI responsibly, we can create a more equitable world where technology enhances happiness and prosperity for all.

Practical Strategies for Leaders

Humans and AI: Future of Work is full of practical advice for leaders navigating the complexities of digital transformation. The book ranges from exploring the use cases of AI and its' benefits, to frameworks that establish AI-decision making, to the learning paths we need to upskill our people, to strategies we can use for role augmentation, all wrapped in the principles of human-centric policies that our employees can trust.

You'll learn about practical strategies for human-AI collaboration and ways to prioritise people. I provide tools to drive change and adoption effectively and stress the importance of involving employees in the redesign process, creating a culture of collaboration and collective ownership for delivering the vision.

Why This Book Matters

In a sea of experts and literature on AI, I want this work to stand out not just as a guide to technological adoption; but as a manifesto for building a better future. My holistic perspective—combining innovation, ethics, and empathy—challenges leaders to not only think about profits or efficiency, but consider their broader impact on society.

I promise you that by following the steps in this book to implement AI, you will make more money. I promise you that your organisation will thrive. It’s not a bad thing to want this.

But wouldn't it be wonderful to realise those benefits while simultaneously changing the world? As a leader, you are in a remarkable position right now to be part of a movement that can change the lives of workers forever. To use the productivity gains of AI and automation to enable people to work differently, work less, work smarter. We can give people the gift of time to spend on themselves, with their families, helping their community, on the arts, hobbies, learning new skills, or entrepreneurship.

If we all have that societal goodwill and intention to use AI to solve the world’s problems, to provide equal opportunity for all of society to reap the benefits of these advances, then we could see some real progress in the world.

This book is for anyone committed to leveraging AI for good. Together, we can turn this vision into reality, using AI as a force for both business success and social progress. Let’s rise to the challenge and create a world where technology and humanity flourish together.

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What the Real Experts Think:

Suffice it to say that practitioners are in for a treat. So much salient, “on the nose” information, lessons, and practices delivered in a concise, very accessible, and engaged way. What amazed us was the level of practical, highly informed useable detail. It becomes clear that not only does the author really know what they are talking about, but they are also quietly brilliant at communicating it. The book concludes with convincing arguments supporting the view that with informed management practices and some necessary guardrails, automation, and digital can and will form a constructive basis for future work and society. If people follow the prescriptions in this book, we too have no doubt there is a lot to be optimistic about.

Excerpt from Foreword written by Leslie Willcocks and John Hindle, authors of Maximizing Value With Automation and Digital Transformation: A Realist’s Guide (Palgrave, 2024).

“As the author states, ‘nothing changes unless you make changes’. In this era of AI-everything, change is imperative, but the only way to successfully do so is to understand (and use) the technologies and mindsets defining the future of work. This book is your guide. It accomplishes being a roadmap of the future, and a reference guide to the tools that will get you there. It does so while also painting a human-centric vision of work that is thoughtfully designed for the worker of the future. Read it. Use it. Succeed thanks to it."

Ian Barkin, Founder, 2B Ventures and author of “All Hands on Tech: The AI Powered Citizen Revolution”

“HUMANS AND AI: THE FUTURE OF WORK is a masterful synthesis of historical insights and cutting-edge strategies, essential for any leader aiming to harness the transformative power of artificial intelligence. This book deftly guides CEOs, CTOs, CAIOs, and Business Process Owners through the practical steps necessary to propel their organizations to the forefront of innovation, contention, and efficiency. It is not just a book but a comprehensive blueprint that marries sustainability with operational excellence, making it a cornerstone for organizations. A must-read before embarking on your AI journey, it sets a new standard for learning and transformation across industries. Unlock the future of work and step boldly into a new era of organizational excellence with this indispensable guide.”

Ann Rosenberg, Senior Sustainability & Responsible AI Advisor, former SAP, EY, and co-founder of United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Ambition

“In ‘Humans and AI: The Future of Work” the author Jayne Mather takes the reader on a carefully crafted journey exploring what may lie ahead and how best to prepare for the coming changes. My favorite part was learning about the ‘Hyperautomation Organization.” For those looking for fresh perspectives, I recommend this book for both its sweeping vision of the future and its actionable recommendations.”

Jim Spohrer, Co-Founder and Board Member, the International Society of Service Innovation Professional

“An insightful guide for leaders, blending AI-driven transformation with a human-centric approach to shape a more ethical and productive future. Jayne Mather offers a deep and multifaceted exploration of one of today’s most important topics.”

Jeremy Adamson, Author and Leader in AI strategy

“Humans and AI is an incredibly comprehensive and practical guide for how AI is transforming the workplace and nature of work. It’s the perfect companion to help business leaders understand and accelerate the disruptive power of AI. AI is optimising supply-chains, but it is also reinventing how we make traditional backoffice processes more effective. For organisations to survive and thrive in the age of AI they must unlock the innovative capacity of their workforce, enabling them to adapt to a rapidly changing world.”

Daniel Hulme, CEO @ Satalia, Chief AI Officer @ WPP

“If you think AI is just about robots taking jobs, think again. Humans and AI: The Future of Work flips the narrative, proving AI can help businesses succeed while making work better for everyone. As someone passionate about emotional intelligence in AI, I found this book both timely and essential. The author shows that the real power of AI lies in its ability to elevate human potential—not replace it. This book is a call to action for leaders to redesign work in a way that benefits everyone.”

Kendal Parmar, CEO & Co-Founder of Untapped AI

“What happens when AI increasingly displaces demand for human labor while continuing to grow productivity to new heights? In this practical guide and insightful roadmap to navigating an AI-powered future, Jayne Mather highlights crucial technological dividends like Universal Basic Income and shorter workweeks among other smart changes. Discover how UBI can secure everyone’s well-being while we redesign work to prioritize human fulfilment in a world of abundant technology.”

Scott Santens, Founder and CEO of Income To Support All Foundation

“As the convergence of technological globalization advances, Human and AI: The Future Of Work must be an essential book to establish fundamental organizational structures that ensure business excellence, effective management and ethical governance for the future.”

Dr. Janét Aizenstros, MSc.D, Ph.D., MBA, former Chairwoman & CEO of Ahava Digital Group

“In a world fixated on the implications of AI, it’s easy to overlook the immense opportunities it offers for business transformation. Through my work with Winder.AI, I’ve seen organizations waste valuable resources on projects misaligned with their business goals. Thankfully, Humans and AI: The Future of Work bridges this gap, presenting AI in clear, accessible language that every leader will be familiar with. This book empowers leaders to align AI integration with their teams, offering a perfect balance of actionable strategies and an inspiring vision of what’s possible.”

Dr. Phil Winder, CEO, Winder.AI

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