Globally, most professionals see generative AI creating skill-learning opportunities (see Key Stats), with demand for soft skills estimated to rise by 11% in Europe and 14% in the US by 2030 (McKinsey, 2024) due to the valorisation of overtly humanised interactions as rote tasks become automated. Soft skill simulators and coaching, from text-based chatbots to AI-powered virtual reality (VR) avatars, are addressing this appetite.

Globally, 85% of employees agree that collaboration tools are essential for effective digital-first companies (Microsoft, 2023), highlighting the importance of group-centred skills-boosters. New tools are overcoming common hurdles – amplifying inclusivity and boosting efficiency by making cross-team insights dynamic and interactive; creating smarter virtual communications for hybrid and remote teams; and reducing neurodivergent employees’ stress – ensuring no talent is overlooked. 

Workplace wellbeing is also benefitting from new-gen AI, courtesy of its capacity to spot changes or patterns that are either imperceptible to or overlooked by humans. From AI-powered burnout detection to brain fog recognition, these emerging technologies may transform modern workplaces and drive sustainable professional wellness.

Forward-thinking brands focused on product design and development are already using AI tools to enhance or preserve creativity. Prototyping across fashion & textiles and food & beverage is being turbocharged through AI integration (enabling speedier design generation while maintaining creative ideation), while other tools are allowing designers’ legacies to be preserved by enshrining design signatures or ‘house codes’ in unprecedented ways.

Countering industry doom-mongering (Open AI’s CEO Sam Altman provocatively said 95% of what marketers use agencies, strategists and creatives for today will soon be handled by AI at nearly no cost – CMSWire, 2024), smart brands are AI-augmenting their planning, strategy, comms and content creation capabilities – from personalised influencer outreach and synthetic advisory boards, to supercharged podcasting, video creation and filmmaking. We highlight the leading tools.

Globally, the edu-AI products market is set to rise 20% annually from 2023 to 2032 (see Key Stats), illuminating how students’ (from Alpha kids to college-goers) experience of learning and communication is changing – a shift relevant to brands far beyond education. Smart AI edutainment tools are countering the fear of AI dulling sparkling fledgling young minds via portals to historical figures, teaching assistant chatbots, and socially intelligent toys.