Philosophy, technology, and the future of work

The article discusses the continuing debate around return to office mandates post-pandemic. It states that despite investments in office spaces and some companies requiring RTO, employee resistance remains high. A contrarian perspective presented is that there may be an undersupply rather than oversupply of offices in years ahead. As pandemic fears subside, the demand for collaborative workspaces could increase, especially from younger workers. Additionally, the article argues that the office versus remote binary debate is overly simplistic. Companies need to consider that the future is... read more >

This article discusses the importance of utilizing instructional design models and theories in modern education. It explores why these models, some of which date back to World War II, remain relevant and significant today. The article also provides an overview of several influential instructional design models and theories, as well as an expanded list for further reference. It concludes with a section answering frequently asked questions about instructional design models. Overall, the article highlights the value of these models in creating effective learning... read more >

If your agency is towards the low end of the client vendor value chain, and by that I mean execution-focused, your services are always in danger of being unecessary. How can you avoid that? The goal is to become indispensable in theory and flexible in execution. Specifically, you should move up the vendor value chain until you reach a node that is never not required. And then park your focus at that node. If you get all the strategy from that node, then you can control the execution downstream. But, you have to remain flexible, not favoring any particular mode of execution, in order to... read more >

The key insights from this article are that Walmart is eliminating degree requirements for some corporate jobs, focusing instead on skills and experience. This move reflects a broader trend among employers to prioritize skills over degrees. Walmart is rewriting job descriptions to allow for relevant degrees or skills obtained through previous experience or other types of learning. This shift aims to remove unnecessary barriers to career advancement and expand talent pools. Other private-sector employers and some states have also eliminated or reduced degree requirements for certain... read more >

The key insights from this article are that many employees are becoming less interested in after-work socializing and are prioritizing a work-life balance. They are adopting a stricter attitude towards their work schedules and are choosing to clock out and avoid socializing with co-workers. Corporate event planners are facing pushback for fall activities and weekend work-related functions. This shift in attitude is attributed to a desire to draw thicker lines between work and personal life. Original article: 5:01 and Done: No One Wants to Schmooze After Work  read more >

The article discusses the potential of voice-driven AI applications and the use of large language models (LLMs) in these applications. It highlights the importance of speech-to-text, text-to-speech, and the LLM itself as the three basic components for building an LLM application. The article also mentions the benefits of running application logic in the cloud, the challenges of phrase detection and endpointing, and the considerations for audio buffer management. It emphasizes the need for reliable and low-latency data flow in voice-driven LLM apps. Original article: How to talk to an LLM... read more >

The key insights from this article are that AI is currently being used to augment human productivity in the workplace, but it is not yet capable of fully automating complex jobs. There is potential for AI to become more sophisticated and replace office workers in the future, but it is uncertain whether the AI-infused workplace will be utopian or dystopian. Businesses, policymakers, regulators, and society need to navigate these changes thoughtfully and responsibly to maximize the benefits of AI while minimizing potential downsides. Original article: The AI workforce: Coming soon to an office...... read more >

Generative AI is disrupting the corporate chore of responding to request for proposals (RFPs). Companies like Twilio are using generative AI tools to quickly generate suitable responses to RFPs, saving time and increasing productivity. The AI-generated responses are reviewed and edited by human staff before being sent to clients. This development is seen as a step towards replacing the RFP process with more efficient alternatives. The use of generative AI in sales teams is expected to increase, with other companies like Google also adopting similar tools. Original article: Generative AI Is... read more >

The key insights from this article are that nearly half of employees find it easier to build colleague relationships when working from home, while a smaller percentage find it harder or see no difference. The article also mentions that between August and September 2022, around 27% of the U.S. workforce worked remotely at least part-time, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. However, multiple academic servers suggest that about half of Americans worked remotely at least part-time. Original article: Workers with in-person jobs spend about $51 a day that they wouldn't remotely survey... read more >

The key insights from this article are that AI will replace certain tasks but not human qualities like leadership and soft skills. Executives recognize the importance of improving their AI skills and fear being unprepared for the future of work. While senior IT leaders will be most impacted by AI, creativity and strategic thinking will still be valuable. The impact of AI on jobs and tasks is uncertain, and professionals will need to adjust their career goals as AI evolves. The successful applications of AI will amplify human skills rather than replace them. Original article: Half Of All... read more >