IT Expert Explains How AI And Emerging Tech Are Revolutionizing Workplaces

• IT expert Jeremy Fennema joined the Allwork.Space Future of Work Podcast to explain the increasing impact of AI, IoT, and AR on remote work, corporate structure, and productivity.
• Such technologies also bolster remote work capabilities and necessitate stronger AI-driven cybersecurity strategies to protect against sophisticated threats.
• AR technology is blurring the lines between physical and virtual workspaces, making location less relevant and supporting a shift toward digital interaction and collaboration.

This article is based on the Allwork.Space Future of Work Podcast episode featuring Jeremy Fennema, CTO and Founder of Fennema.io. Click here to listen to the full episode.

Emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), and augmented reality (AR) are serving as catalysts for profound change in today’s business landscape. 

These technologies are reshaping how companies operate, streamlining processes, and enhancing the efficiency of workflows, leading to an evolution of traditional business models. 

The transformative power of AI is evident in its ability to analyze vast amounts of data, automate routine tasks, and generate insights that drive strategic decision-making. 

IoT networks are turning ordinary objects into smart devices, providing real-time supply chain visibility and predictive maintenance capabilities.

AR is revolutionizing training and operational procedures, enabling workers to access information in an immersive, interactive format that improves learning retention and execution.

Meanwhile, AR is revolutionizing training and operational procedures, enabling workers to access information in an immersive, interactive format that improves learning retention and execution. Together, these technologies are altering not only the functional aspects of businesses but also the human elements. 

Workplace dynamics are evolving as technology augments human roles, creating a symbiotic relationship that fosters new forms of collaboration and innovation. As these technologies converge, they promise to unlock unprecedented opportunities — posing both promising advantages and complex challenges for companies navigating the digital transformation.

Experienced IT executive Jeremy Fennema joined the Allwork.Space Future of Work podcast to explain how these new technological advancements will reshape the very fabric of current business models and remote work.

“There are a number of emerging technologies that companies are looking to leverage and figure out where they’re going with them,” Fennema said. “So you’ve got things like cloud computing, you’ve got something that got a lot of press a couple of years ago and sort of fallen by the wayside — blockchain technology, then you have some really interesting things like IoT that’s also been around for a while, but something that I think is going to get a lot more interest.”

“Then, of course, the belle of the ball — generative AI — that everybody’s talking about these days. But I think that’s one of the reasons why IoT is actually going to get some more visibility,” Fennema said on the podcast. 

Some companies have already started leveraging this new tech

As these innovative tools continue to evolve, companies have an opportunity to leverage them to enhance productivity, agility, and innovation.

AI and IoT sensors are already increasing efficiency and reshaping operations, especially in manufacturing facilities. For example, Amazon and AWS are building advanced manufacturing centers that incorporate AI and IoT to boost productivity with less human workers required. Intelligent sensors feed data back to larger ecosystems, enabling smart edge devices to make autonomous decisions.

“Amazon and AWS together are building these advanced manufacturing facilities where they’re incorporating IoT and AI in that fashion. To be able to have a facility that works more productively — it’s generating more; it’s more efficient across the board — requires less workers to work in that environment,” Fennema said.

The influx of new technologies also facilitates remote work by providing digital tools to solve problems quickly without needing to ask colleagues for help. For example, AI assistants can offer solutions alongside remote employees to address roadblocks faster. Shared documents and online collaborative environments similarly empower distributed teams to work together easily.

The influx of new technologies also facilitates remote work by providing digital tools to solve problems quickly without needing to ask colleagues for help.

The complex relationship between AI and Cybersecurity

Of course, as beneficial as these tools can be, businesses must implement cybersecurity measures like AI-powered defense systems to combat increasingly sophisticated hacking threats. 

“The bad actors are 100% leveraging AI right now,” Fennema explained. “They just are. And that’s because it’s giving them the biggest competitive advantage for infiltrating and attacking systems.”

He says that the defense mechanisms that we put in place need to also leverage AI — and leverage it effectively. 

“I was just looking at an interview with the CISO at AWS…where they were talking about how they’re dealing with cybersecurity and leveraging AI to be able to create models that can identify breaches that are happening, and proactively attack and defend against those breaches,” he said.

Augmented reality will make location meaningless 

Emerging innovations are even blending physical and virtual spaces to make location nearly irrelevant. As augmented and virtual reality mature, meetings and social connections can happen entirely digitally.

Emerging innovations are even blending physical and virtual spaces to make location nearly irrelevant. As augmented and virtual reality mature, meetings and social connections can happen entirely digitally.

Simply put, work becomes an activity that people engage in from wherever they are. Sophisticated hologram technologies can also enable face-to-face interactions between remote participants.

“I think when we get to the point where augmented reality technology is becoming more prevalent, that’s when we’ll start to see the work being less about a physical place that you’re at, and become more of a virtual place that you’re at,” Fennema said. “I think that’s where you’ll start to see meetings happening virtually, touch bases happening, virtually, those kinds of things happening up in these sort of virtual spaces.” 

“I think when the physical locality becomes irrelevant, then you don’t end up with an idea of remote work,” he continued. “Work is wherever you are. Work is a thing that you’re doing, and you’re simply engaging in it in a space.”

Overall, emerging technologies are paving the way for more flexible, productive work environments, and companies that strategically adopt innovations like AI and augmented reality will gain a competitive edge.

“I think it’s going to get to the point where the technology is as transparent or as unseen as your glasses,” he said.