In a report titled “IWG: 300 Years of Workplace Innovation”, global business leaders ranked artificial intelligence (AI) as the most significant innovation transforming the world of work. The research was launched by International Workplace Group (IWG) to coincide with the tercentenary of the modern office, which began with the construction of the Old Admiralty Building in London in 1726.
The survey of CEOs highlighted five main innovations defining modern working methods. AI led the list with 36%, followed by the use of laptops and tablets at 35%, video conferencing technology at 31%, Wi-Fi/Bluetooth connectivity at 29%, and hybrid work models at 26%.
IWG Executive Chairman Mark Dixon emphasized that the adoption of AI represents a revolutionary leap equivalent to the invention of the typewriter or internet connection in previous decades. This transformation has facilitated workforce flexibility, with 35% of CEOs acknowledging that technology now enables staff to work more effectively from any location.
The 2020s are now considered the most transformative period in office history. Unlike the 1990s, which introduced basic digital communication, this decade focuses on automation and flexibility. Data shows that 83% of business leaders believe current shifts in work practices have a positive impact, particularly in enhancing organizational collaboration and productivity.
Interestingly, the research also notes a generational knowledge gap regarding past technologies. Most young workers are becoming unfamiliar with older devices like fax machines or floppy disks, even though the save icon remains an iconic part of modern digital work culture. Meanwhile, several innovations once predicted to be popular, such as smart glasses, are deemed by CEOs to have no long-term future in professional environments.
