UPDATE — SEPTEMBER 2025: Since the WEF–PwC report “Leveraging Generative AI for Job Augmentation and Workforce Productivity” landed in early 2024, the discussion has shifted from possibility to governance and scaled execution. At Davos 2025, GenAI dominated—with leaders elevating AI literacy, equity, and safety alongside productivity—and WEF expanded its Reskilling Revolution tracks to include GenAI-specific upskilling. Regulators moved too: the EU AI Act entered phased implementation, tightening expectations around transparency and bias controls for workplace and HR uses of GenAI; in the U.S., federal guidance under the 2023 AI executive order and new state playbooks (e.g., CA, TX, NY) set procurement and assurance guardrails; across APAC, Singapore, Japan, and South Korea advanced “trust frameworks,” while the African Union drafted a continental AI strategy with job augmentation at its core.
In practice, many organizations hit scaling friction after pilots—data security, model transparency, and culture change being the big blockers—so programs increasingly frame GenAI as “human + AI,” with mandated human oversight and risk controls. Boards now treat GenAI as a governance and liability issue as much as a productivity play, spurring demand for audits, assurance, and robust change management. New 2025 studies echo the report’s thesis but broaden success metrics beyond output gains to include engagement, retention, and job quality; at the same time, concerns about an emerging “AI divide” have grown, with uneven access to tooling and skills across firms and regions. Net-net: the report’s twin pillars—Enable (strategy, data, compliance) and Engage (skills, change, use-case discipline)—remain the blueprint, but the bar has risen: credible programs now pair phased deployment with formal AI governance, measurable workforce outcomes, and equity-minded access to tools and training.
ORIGINAL NEWS STORY:
GenAI: The Future of Work Transformation and Productivity Boost
A report by the World Economic Forum (WEF), in collaboration with PwC, has shed light on the transformative potential of generative AI (GenAI) in the global workforce. Their report, “Leveraging Generative AI for Job Augmentation and Workforce Productivity,” delves into how organizations can harness this technology to enhance job roles, drive efficiency, and foster innovation.
According to the WEF’s latest Future of Jobs survey, GenAI could impact up to 40% of global working hours in the next five years. The report emphasizes that GenAI’s potential lies not just in automating repetitive tasks but in augmenting human capabilities through collaboration, enabling workers to focus on high-value activities.
Based on interviews with over 20 organizations spanning various industries and regions, the study highlights the critical factors for successful GenAI integration:
- Trust and Transparency: Establishing trust in GenAI tools is paramount. Organizations must address concerns about transparency, data privacy, and potential biases to ensure widespread adoption.
- Skills and Cultural Shifts: A cultural shift is necessary to embrace new workflows enabled by GenAI. Training programs focused on both technical skills and ethical considerations are vital for workforce readiness.
- Incremental Implementation: Early adopters recommend a phased approach, starting with pilot programs to refine use cases before broader deployment.
- Risk Management: Employing safeguards such as human oversight in AI processes mitigates risks and ensures accountability.
To guide organizations, the report proposes a two-pronged framework emphasizing “Enable” and “Engage” elements:
- Enable: This involves laying the groundwork with a clear GenAI strategy, robust data infrastructure, and adherence to regulatory standards. These foundational steps ensure that the technology aligns with organizational goals and complies with ethical norms.
- Engage: Focused on workforce integration, this pillar emphasizes change management, skills development, and use case management to drive adoption and unlock productivity gains.
The report also outlines four scenarios based on two key uncertainties: the level of trust in GenAI and the pace of technological improvements. These range from high-trust, high-quality adoption leading to significant job augmentation, to low-trust scenarios where skepticism and resistance hinder progress.
While GenAI’s potential for productivity gains is significant, the report cautions against viewing it purely through an economic lens. Interviewees highlighted improved job satisfaction and quality of work as key drivers for adoption. By automating mundane tasks, GenAI enables employees to focus on creative and strategic roles.
The report concludes with a call for collaboration among governments, industries, and academia to ensure that GenAI deployment is inclusive, equitable, and sustainable. By fostering a culture of transparency and innovation, organizations can maximize the benefits of GenAI while minimizing its risks.
Need Help?
Keeping track of the growing AI regulatory landscape can be difficult. So if you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out to BABL AI. Their Audit Experts can offer valuable insight, and ensure you’re informed and compliant.
