Technology Transforms Workplace Trends: Ravi Shankar Prasad
With the future of work constantly evolving, so are the future workplaces. On the way out are enclosed office cubicles making way for flexible, open workspaces to foster a sense of community. With the advent of artificial intelligence, automation and cloud computing, there is a reorganisation of the workspace, making many jobs redundant and creating many more high-skilled jobs. Intelligence software is already automating many back-office roles in fields like accountancy, finance, and law.
In the words of Ravi Shankar Prasad, Union Minister of Law and Justice, Communications and Electronics and Information Technology, “It is very important for all of you to understand the evolution and the changing nature of the workplace. What did technology do? Completely transformed it! I need to salute the IT professionals and entrepreneurs in ushering this change. Have you noticed one thing very curious globally, technology and the leaders who are having the technology have got a substantial degree of informality, in the dress sense at the workplace?”
Making his special address at The Workplace Trends Conclave organised by Studiokon Ventures Private Limited (SKV) held on 15th November at Hyatt Regency in New Delhi, Prasad stated, “Technology is the big leveller; technology brings in openness and technology as a consequence also transforms the workplace, and also how you see the idea of the future. The latest trend emerging is ‘Work from Home’ because technology is available. Start-ups are working from home then why should someone go to the office? This digital world is a unique world, it is a borderless world without geographical boundaries and at the click of a button, what is happening far away in Latin America is known to you, not only in Delhi but in a remote part of India.”
“The transformative nature of technology has to be recognized. PM Narendra Modi could recognize the power of technology. He was one leader who started pursuing digital footprint on a digital platform in the early 90s. Well, how could leverage technology for empowering ordinary people was his biggest concern and also commitment. Digital India programme is empowering ordinary Indians with the power of technology (and) bridge the digital divide between digital haves and digital have-nots, must usher digital inclusion in an inclusive society. And this must be based upon the technology, which is homegrown and low cost. This is the substance of digital India,” Prasad further added.
Anshuman Magazine, Chairman and CEO, India, South East Asia, Middle East and Africa, “So from 2016-17, around 170-175 million square foot office space will be taken up in India, which is really unparalleled. This year alone, there will be more than 50 million square feet of office will be taken up in India, which is not happening anywhere else in the world. And the big advantages (are) that most of the occupiers are large multinational companies. These are companies not only in technology (space) but also (in) financial services (space). And we are at the forefront of technology, innovation in the world. Now, this doesn't happen in most other countries. And that has made a huge difference in how the workspace is in India and this will continue.”
Dr Rubina Mittal Chairperson, Strategy partner, Workplace Trends India 2019, “As a leader of digital India, he (Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad) is passionate about taking Bharat Net to the next level and put it to the last mile and how private enterprises can be a part of this digital programme. He's the driving force behind the digital India program since 2014. We all are here today to bring to the forefront how the sharing or the gig economy and smart technologies are changing how we work.”
