How Will AI Shape the Future of Work – 10 Trends & Expert Keynote Speakers to Follow in 2025

Hiring a keynote speaker on AI and the future of work gives businesses a powerful edge in understanding upcoming workplace shifts. By 2030, an estimated 30 percent of work hours will be automated, and the World Economic Forum predicts AI will displace 92 million jobs while creating 170 million new roles. Meanwhile, AI‑exposed sectors are seeing wages grow twice as fast as others. These trends highlight how AI is both reshaping existing roles and unlocking fresh opportunities in areas like digital transformation, reskilling, and generative AI. An expert speaker can demystify these changes, inspire strategic investment in AI adoption, and help corporations build the skills and culture needed to lead in an AI‑driven future.

How is AI shaping the workplace?

AI is taking over repetitive tasks like data entry and report generation, so teams spend more time on creative projects and strategy. It accelerates decision‑making by spotting trends in large data sets that humans might miss. AI also powers smarter customer experiences through personalization and predictive recommendations. As a result, many roles are evolving to focus on skills such as critical thinking, collaboration, and data literacy. Companies see gains in efficiency and innovation when they combine human insight with AI tools.

How can businesses prepare their employees for an AI-driven workplace?

Preparation involves both investing in technology wisely and investing in people. Many companies are now rolling out AI upskilling initiatives in partnership with tech providers and government programmes. Encourage a culture of experimentation; let employees pilot AI solutions in their projects and share best practices. Identify “AI champions” or form innovation teams to explore new AI applications and then train others. Leadership should communicate a clear vision that AI is there to augment the team, not to arbitrarily cut jobs—this builds trust and openness to change. Finally, stay informed about industry trends and continuously update your strategy – bringing in expert keynote speakers and on the future of work can spark valuable conversations and keep your organization ahead of the curve.

1.) Autonomous Systems and Workflow Automation

AI-powered autonomous systems are increasingly handling repetitive and data-driven tasks, from customer service chatbots to automated decision-making in operations. This trend is freeing employees from routine duties and allowing them to focus on higher-value work like creative problem-solving and strategy. For example, automated agents can analyse data and make immediate decisions in areas like logistics or finance, significantly speeding up workflows. A recent McKinsey analysis found that by 2030, activities accounting for roughly one-third of work hours could be done by machines. Rather than simply cutting jobs, these autonomous systems alter job roles – humans will increasingly supervise AI outputs, handle complex exceptions, and take on tasks that AI can’t do (such as nuanced communication and leadership). Organisations that embrace automation alongside upskilling their workforce stand to gain efficiency and productivity, while those that resist may fall behind.

Expert Speaker: Brian Evergreen

Brian Evergreen is a global AI strategy advisor and author of “Autonomous Transformation”. As Microsoft’s former Head of Autonomous AI Co-Innovation, Brian has helped Fortune 500 companies implement AI agents to streamline workflows and decision-making. In his keynote talks, Brian shares how to redesign roles and business processes in the era of automation. He emphasises keeping empathy, ethics and human creativity at the core of AI deployments – ensuring autonomous systems augment rather than dehumanise the workplace. Brian’s guidance helps leaders craft strategies that balance efficiency with purpose, preparing their organisations for a future where humans and smart machines work side by side.

Brian’s Speaker Topics:

• Future of Work in the AI Era
• Leading Autonomous Transformation
• Human–Machine Collaboration
• Skills for an AI-Driven Future

Brian’s Testimonials:

“Brian Evergreen is a knowledgeable and excellent public speaker on all things AI and an audience favorite.” – Lisa, Head of Event Content, VentureBeat

2.) AI-Augmented Collaboration and Creativity

Rather than replacing human ingenuity, AI is increasingly used as a collaborative tool to enhance it. In modern workplaces, many tasks are now a hybrid of human and machine effort – in fact, about 53% of work tasks involve technology alongside human input. AI-driven platforms can help distributed teams brainstorm ideas, automate administrative busywork, and enable creative prototyping (for instance, using generative AI to draft designs or content). This trend means employees can spend more time on creative thinking and interpersonal collaboration, with AI handling the low-level grunt work. Crucially, AI can also connect colleagues in hybrid or remote settings – from smart virtual meeting assistants to VR training simulations – making collaboration more immersive. Companies adopting AI for collaboration report higher productivity without sacrificing innovation. The key insight is that human creativity remains irreplaceable; AI serves as a catalyst that supercharges our creative output and problem-solving by handling routine tasks and offering smart suggestions.

Expert Speaker: Ed Greig

Ed Greig is the Chief Disruptor at Deloitte Digital, known for blending AI, machine learning and even virtual reality to spark innovation. Ed shows audiences how AI can foster greater creativity and teamwork. In his talks, he demonstrates AI-powered tools – from gamified problem-solving platforms to machine learning assistants – that help teams collaborate across geographies and disciplines. Ed’s message is reassuringly human-centric: while AI can automate repetitive tasks, humans excel at context, emotion and meaning. He outlines practical steps for organisations to introduce AI collaboration platforms that boost efficiency yet keep the workplace engaging and people-focused. Ed’s real-world examples, drawn from his experience leading Deloitte’s “disruption” team, illuminate a future of work where technology amplifies human creativity instead of stifling it.

Ed’s Speaker Topics:

• Disruptive Tech for Business Innovation
• Machine Learning in Everyday Work
• Human-Centred Design & Gamification

3.) AI Augmentation vs Replacement – Empowering Employees

A major trend is using AI to augment employees’ capabilities rather than replace them. Advanced AI analytics and decision-support systems can provide workers with richer context and insights, improving their judgement on the job. For instance, in customer service, AI can instantly retrieve a client’s history and preferences, allowing the human agent to deliver a more personalised solution. Governments and businesses are investing heavily in AI augmentation: the UK, for example, has attracted over £44 billion in AI investment in a year, creating 13,000+ jobs in the process– a sign that augmenting the workforce with AI opens new roles. This trend also includes edge computing and IoT, where AI at the “edge” (on devices and sensors) helps frontline employees – like factory technicians or retail staff – make faster, data-driven decisions on the spot. Ultimately, augmentation means designing AI tools that empower workers with timely intelligence and recommendations. Organisations focusing on augmentation tend to see higher employee satisfaction and performance, whereas those fixated purely on automation may miss out on the productivity gains that come from human-AI synergy.

Expert Speaker: Inma Martinez

Inma Martinez is a digital pioneer and government advisor on AI policy who champions an augmentation approach. Named one of Forbes’ top strategic futurists, Inma brings a policy-forward perspective to AI in the workplace. She argues that AI should be developed as a tool to support human workers – for example, using smart sensors and edge AI to give employees real-time insights on everything from supply chain efficiency to customer behaviour. Inma draws on her involvement in national AI initiatives (including the UK government’s AI investment programmes) to show how thoughtful AI adoption can boost competitiveness while maintaining job quality. Her dynamic keynotes inspire business leaders to leverage AI for competitive advantage by empowering their people with intelligent systems rather than aiming for pure replacement.

Inma’s Speaker Topics:

• AI for Competitive Advantage
• Augmented Decision-Making in the Workplace
• Digital Transformation & Smart Systems (IoT, Edge AI)
• Future of Work in an AI-Augmented Society

Inma’s Testimonials:

“Inma has been able to convey a vision of the future for our sector in such an engaging manner… feedback was extraordinary.” – Marco, Managing Director, Assurant

4.) Creativity and Innovation in an AI World

As AI takes over routine tasks, human creativity and innovation become even more critical in the workplace. Many experts predict growth in roles that rely on imaginative, abstract and strategic thinking – precisely the areas where humans excel and machines lag. In fact, jobs demanding creativity and complex problem-solving are expected to expand even as automation advances. AI can actually fuel innovation by handling mundane work and generating initial drafts or prototypes, thereby giving human creators more raw material and time to refine ideas. We’re also seeing AI converge with emerging fields like the metaverse, opening up new creative business models and experiences. The term “supercreativity” is sometimes used to describe this amplified innovation capacity when humans collaborate with AI tools. Companies that cultivate a culture of creativity – encouraging employees to experiment with AI as a brainstorming partner – are likely to thrive. In short, the future of work will reward those who leverage AI to unlock human ingenuity, rather than viewing technology purely as a threat.

Expert Speaker: James Taylor

James Taylor is an award-winning keynote speaker on creativity and innovation in the age of AI. He specialises in helping organisations “reclaim their creativity” when faced with increasing automation. Drawing on trends like the forecast that nearly half of jobs could be at least partly automated, James shows why uniquely human skills – storytelling, brainstorming, creative leadership – will be in even higher demand. He introduces the concept of “SuperCreativity,” where teams use AI tools as creative collaborators to generate ideas and solve problems faster. James’s engaging style and actionable frameworks help businesses build a culture that celebrates human imagination alongside AI. His clients leave inspired to innovate, armed with strategies to ensure human ingenuity flourishes in an AI-driven world.

James’ Speaker Topics:

• SuperCreativity: Augmenting Human Creativity with AI
• Innovation Strategies for the AI Age
• The Metaverse and New Business Models

James’ Testimonials:

“James Taylor was a fantastic keynote speaker… [he inspired our team] to ‘reclaim their creativity.’” – Kristi, G3 Communications

5.) Democratisation of AI Skills and Low-Code Tools

Another trend shaping the future of work is the democratisation of AI – making AI development and data analysis accessible to all employees, not just specialists. Companies are increasingly adopting low-code or no-code AI platforms, enabling staff with minimal coding experience to build simple AI applications or automate tasks. This helps address the AI skills gap by empowering existing teams to experiment with AI solutions. It’s also reflected in hiring: demand for AI-related skills is soaring. Over the past several years, hiring for AI specialist roles grew over 320%, and many new positions require at least some AI literacy. Organisations that upskill their workforce with AI knowledge see a boost in productivity – one study found sectors with more AI adoption have experienced a nearly fivefold increase in productivity growth compared to low-adoption sectors. In practice, this trend means more training programs, accessible AI toolkits (like drag-and-drop machine learning models), and an expectation that AI becomes part of everyone’s job. “AI for all” is becoming a motto for future-ready businesses, ensuring that the benefits of artificial intelligence are broadly distributed within the company.

Expert Speaker: Laurence Moroney

Laurence Moroney is Google’s Lead AI Advocate and a passionate educator on making AI approachable. He has authored books on machine learning and helped build tools like TensorFlow that developers around the world use. Laurence’s keynotes break down complex AI concepts into everyday language, showing how anyone – not just software engineers – can leverage AI at work. He highlights the rise of low-code platforms and “AI kits” that let teams prototype intelligent apps or automate processes with a few clicks. In the UK, employers already pay a premium for AI skills, with some reports showing a 25% higher salary for roles requiring AI expertise. Laurence offers practical advice on upskilling your workforce, drawing on success stories where ordinary employees learned to build AI solutions that improved business outcomes. His optimism and clear teaching style inspire audiences to believe that “AI is a tool for us all,” and that with the right training, any organisation can become AI-savvy.

Laurence’s Speaker Topics:

• AI for Everyone: Low-Code AI Development
• Upskilling Teams in Machine Learning
• Democratising Data & AI Tools (e.g. TensorFlow)

Laurence’s Testimonials:

“Laurence’s speech at Oxford spurred thoughtful reflections on employing AI to progress the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.” – Sandra, AWS

6.) National AI Strategies and Public-Private Ecosystems

Governments around the world are actively shaping the future of work through national AI strategies, investments, and regulations. This trend recognises that AI’s impact on jobs and skills is not just a business issue but a societal one. Countries are pouring funds into AI research, start-ups, and education – aiming to create tech ecosystems that drive economic growth. For example, government initiatives to train millions of workers in digital skills or to fund AI incubators can stimulate job creation and help businesses find the talent they need. Public-private partnerships are becoming common, where companies collaborate with government agencies or universities on AI projects and workforce training. The goal is to ensure the workforce is “future-proofed” for AI disruptions. Organisations that align with these big-picture strategies – by tapping into government funding, participating in policy discussions, or adopting best practices from national guidelines – often gain an edge. In essence, the future of work will be shaped not only in boardrooms but also in policy circles. Understanding and engaging with the wider AI ecosystem (from regulations to research hubs) will be essential for businesses seeking to fully leverage AI’s potential.

Expert Speaker: Matt Clifford

Matt Clifford is co-founder of the start-up accelerator Entrepreneur First and currently serves as an advisor on AI to the UK Prime Minister. With one foot in the tech start-up world and the other in high-level policy, Matt offers a unique perspective on how national strategy intersects with corporate strategy. In his talks, he discusses how government policies – like national AI funding programs, visas for tech talent, or AI “growth zones” – can significantly impact businesses’ ability to innovate and hire. Matt highlights real examples such as the UK’s AI Action Plan, which in a year attracted billions in investment and thousands of new AI jobs. He encourages organisations to seize these opportunities: collaborating with emerging AI ventures, tapping into government-led reskilling schemes, and shaping policy by engaging with regulators. Matt’s insights help business leaders understand the big picture of AI’s development and ensure they are plugged into the networks and initiatives that will define the future of work at a macro level.

Matt’s Speaker Topics:

• AI Policy & National Workforce Strategy
• Startup Innovation and Talent Pipelines
• Leadership in Tech-Driven Economies

7.) Generative AI and Content Integrity

Generative AI – algorithms that can create text, images, and other content – is rapidly entering the workplace. Employees now use tools like GPT models to draft reports, marketing copy, code and more. While this boosts productivity, it also raises questions about content integrity and trust. If a large portion of content is AI-generated, how do we ensure accuracy, originality and ethical use? Experts warn that soon a vast majority of online content could be machine-generated; Gartner predicts that by 2030, 90% of all online content might be created by AI. Within companies, this means employees must develop skills to oversee and edit AI outputs, checking for errors or bias. It also means organisations need guidelines for AI usage – for example, transparency on which content is AI-assisted, and standards to prevent the spread of misinformation or flawed data. Generative AI is a powerful tool to scale up content production (from personalised client communications to design prototypes), but human oversight is crucial. The future workplace will likely have hybrid content teams: AI generating drafts at scale, and human experts curating and refining this content to align with brand values, factual correctness, and creative vision.

Expert Speaker: Nina Schick

Nina Schick is a leading expert on generative AI and the author of the early book on deepfakes and synthetic media. She has been at the forefront of analysing how AI-generated content is impacting politics, media, and business. In her keynotes, Nina shines a light on the explosive growth of generative AI tools and warns that we must prepare for a world where seeing is not always believing. By some estimates, up to 90% of online content could be AI-generated within this decade, and Nina discusses what this means for organisations’ communication and trust. She provides strategies for maintaining authenticity – such as implementing verification processes, encouraging human creativity to guide AI, and establishing ethical guidelines for AI use. Nina’s balanced approach helps businesses embrace generative AI’s benefits (like efficiency and personalisation) while safeguarding against its risks, ensuring that brand integrity and truth remain paramount in the AI era.

Nina’s Speaker Topics:

• What Is Generative AI and Why It Matters
• AI, Deepfakes & Information Integrity
• Building Digital Trust in the AI Age

Nina’s Testimonials:

“We had excellent feedback … with Nina being at the very top!” – Susie, Transparity

8.) AI-Driven Personalised Learning and Upskilling

As the skill requirements of jobs change rapidly, continuous learning has become essential in the workplace. AI is playing a key role in transforming employee training and development. One major trend is the rise of AI-driven personalised learning platforms – systems that adapt to each employee’s learning pace, style, and gaps. These platforms can recommend courses or micro-learning modules tailored to what an individual needs (much like Netflix recommends shows). They can also use AI tutors or chatbots to answer employees’ questions on demand. The advantage is efficiency: large workforces can be upskilled at scale, with each person getting a customised training path. Given that jobs requiring AI skills are growing 3.5 times faster than other roles, there is urgent pressure on organisations to reskill employees quickly. AI tools help identify emerging skill needs and deliver learning content accordingly, whether it’s mastering a new software or developing soft skills that machines can’t replicate. In the future of work, companies that leverage AI in education and training will be better positioned to have an agile, adaptable workforce ready for new challenges.

Expert Speaker: Priya Lakhani OBE

Priya Lakhani is the founder of CENTURY Tech, an award-winning AI education platform, and a prominent voice on skills and the future of work. In her talks, Priya highlights how technology can revolutionise corporate learning and upskilling. She shares insights from her platform, which uses AI to deliver personalised education to students and professionals – boosting retention and engagement. Priya points out that roles requiring digital and AI proficiency have surged in demand (for instance, LinkedIn data shows a dramatic rise in AI-related job postings year on year). She makes the case that investing in intelligent learning solutions isn’t a “nice to have” but mission-critical for companies: those who fail to continuously train their people will struggle to fill new roles or adapt existing ones. Drawing on success stories from both schools and large enterprises using her AI tools, Priya inspires organisations to build a culture of lifelong learning. Her actionable advice, from adopting AI learning platforms to encouraging an innovation mindset, helps businesses ensure their teams remain skilled and future-ready in the face of relentless technological change.

Priya’s Speaker Topics:

• The Future of Work & Education
• AI in Training and Skills Development
• Innovation in EdTech and Corporate Learning
• Entrepreneurial Mindset for Adaptability

9.) Responsible AI and Governance in the Workplace

With AI’s growing influence on work, ensuring its responsible and ethical use is a significant trend. Companies are realising that they need robust AI governance – policies and oversight mechanisms to prevent biases, protect privacy, and maintain transparency in AI systems that affect employees and customers. Surveys show that while a large majority of business leaders (over 70%) agree that ethical AI guidelines are crucial, only a tiny fraction (single-digit percentages) have actually implemented such guidelines so far. This gap is starting to close as stakeholders demand accountability; for example, regulators are drafting laws like the EU’s AI Act, and clients increasingly ask vendors about the ethics of their AI. In practice, responsible AI in the workplace covers things like: making sure an AI system used for hiring or promotion decisions is fair and explainable; training employees on AI ethics; and setting up committees to review high-impact AI deployments. Companies that proactively establish governance frameworks will build more trust with their workforce and customers, and they’ll be better prepared as formal regulations come into effect. In the future of work, ethical AI won’t be optional – it will be as important as legal compliance or cybersecurity in organisational strategy.

Expert Speaker: Sana Khareghani

Sana Khareghani is the former Head of the UK Government’s Office for AI and a champion of responsible AI development. Having led national efforts on AI ethics and policy, Sana brings deep expertise in how organisations can implement governance structures for AI. In her presentations, she helps demystify emerging regulations (like what upcoming AI laws mean for businesses) and outlines best practices for self-governance. For instance, Sana encourages companies to create internal AI ethics boards and to develop clear guidelines on AI use cases – from HR and hiring to automated decision-making in operations. She often cites that over 80% of leaders say AI ethics policies are important, but very few have them in place, underscoring the urgency. Sana’s insights, drawn from real policy and industry examples, help leaders balance innovation with responsibility. She shows that by embedding ethics and transparency into their AI strategy, organisations not only avoid risks but also gain a competitive advantage through increased trust and long-term sustainability.

Sana’s Speaker Topics:

• Building Ethical AI Frameworks
• AI Policy & Regulation (What Leaders Need to Know)
• Inclusive and Fair AI in the Workplace
• Trust and Accountability in AI Systems

10.) Foresight, Adaptability and the New Culture of Work

Beyond technology itself, a crucial trend is the changing culture of work in response to AI. Organisations must foster adaptability, continuous learning, and even rethink the very structure of jobs as AI alters tasks. It’s estimated that around 40% of core skills for workers will change within five years – a staggering figure that highlights the need for ongoing reskilling and flexibility. This means companies should encourage a growth mindset among staff, where change is embraced rather than feared. It also means leadership has to be forward-thinking, using strategic foresight to anticipate how roles might evolve and helping employees navigate those shifts. Diversity and inclusion remain important as well: ensuring that all groups of employees can thrive and that AI-driven changes do not inadvertently exclude or disadvantage anyone. Ultimately, the future of work will be defined as much by human resilience and cultural evolution as by algorithms. Organisations that succeed will be those that create a culture of empowerment – where people are equipped and motivated to adapt continuously, and where identity and purpose are maintained even as job descriptions transform.

Expert Speaker: Tracey Follows

Tracey Follows is a futurist and founder of Futuremade who focuses on the intersection of technology, culture and identity. Recently named one of the world’s top 50 female futurists, Tracey helps organisations peer around the corner at what’s coming next. In her future-of-work keynotes, she emphasises the human element of AI-driven change. Tracey discusses how roles and required skills will continuously evolve – citing research that about 39% of current skills could be outdated by 2030 – and shows how companies can build a resilient, agile culture in response. She introduces ideas like “identity capital” (helping employees reshape their professional identities over time) and stresses the importance of diversity and foresight in strategic planning. Through engaging scenarios and trends analysis, Tracey inspires leaders to not just react to the future, but to actively design it. Her practical advice on fostering adaptability – such as investing in continuous learning programs and empowering teams to experiment with new technologies – equips audiences to drive positive cultural change and ensure their people remain at the heart of the future workplace.

Tracey’s Speaker Topics:

• The Future of Work & Jobs
• Cultural Trends and Change Leadership
• Strategic Foresight in the AI Era
• Identity and Ethics in a Digital World

Tracey’s Testimonials:

“Futuremade (Tracey) presents a clear vision of future scenarios … based on sector and company considerations.” – Tesco Pension Chair

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