One Giant Leap for Mankind?

The world is changing exponentially faster than ever before. From AI, to social movements, space exploration, a wild economy, and everything in between. There's a collective conscience and awakening that's driving an exciting transformation that's unfolding before our eyes. But, what's really at the heart of the changes we're seeing? How are we responding, and is it good enough? And, what will it take to fully understand and embrace this new brave (perhaps scary or confusing) world we're entering? The answers may actually surprise you.

If you’ve ever witnessed a rocket launch, it’s an experience you’ll never forget.

First comes the anticipation — the opportunity to stake out the best spot to bear witness to history. As time progresses and the countdown draws closer to zero, the excitement builds. Your palms might get sweaty. Or, if you’re like me, you’ll begin to sense butterflies in your stomach, almost as if you’re peering over the side of a steep cliff.

All at once, a flash of light.

It starts small at first, and grows in intensity as the rocket fuel burns hotter. Then, some seconds later — depending on your distance from the launch site — you feel the roar — a literal seismic event. Of course, you hear it, too. But it’s the feeling that will stick with you. It’s like the atmosphere itself is ripping open, creating just enough room for one of humankind’s greatest achievements to slip into the deep unknown.

A few minutes later, it’s all over. All that’s left in the sky is a vapor trail — a shadowy cloud indicating that something important happened here.

When it comes to science, seeing is believing. That’s why, during our family’s spring break last month, I took my 7-year-old son to the California coast to watch the launch of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.

As a STEM professional and advocate for early science, engineering and technology education, I know that the seeds of curiosity are planted when we’re young. Watching the launch through his eyes, I couldn’t help but feel a familiar sense of wonder — much like I experienced more than 20 years ago as I was pondering my own career.

The advent of SpaceX and its transformation of the aerospace industry is just one more step in a long journey of human innovation that’s been unfolding over thousands of years. Yet, the rate at which innovation is impacting every corner of our lives can seem unnerving — especially in the context of economic uncertainty, geopolitical conflicts, and other destabilizing forces.

The reality is, artificial intelligence, augmented reality, manufacturing automation, and other innovations are here to stay, promising to transform virtually every sector from the ground up.

At CRAFT, we guide businesses through cycles of change, helping our clients understand the real impact of emerging technologies and ideas — and how to best communicate them (because your ideas are only as effective as your ability to share them and inspire the people around you). With more than two decades in technology, marketing and communications, I have dedicated my career to aiding organizations and individuals in embracing digital transformation and innovation. We offer a range of services including executive branding, workforce development, change management, technology training, and digital consulting. Our work spans multiple industries, focusing on creating digital solutions that boost customer (and public) engagement, and business performance.

These are just three of the most significant trends we’re tracking — and how we’re helping our clients chart a pathway to success no matter which industry they serve:

The Workforce is Changing

According to a recent study from workforce solutions provider AgileOne, Gen Z — which comprises people born between 1996 and 2010 — will account for roughly 30 percent of the U.S. workforce by 2030. Facing radical change, the success of the global economy will be staked on how effectively companies can tap into the next generation of workers. At CRAFT, we’re focused on helping companies unpack the evolving expectations of workers around the world. Our research is creating a clear business case for a new approach to corporate culture, where organizations place the employee experience at the center of key decisions. Simply providing bells and whistles is a thing of the past. To engage young workers, employers must create an environment that’s truly supportive, demonstrating inclusive and empathetic leadership from the top. Gen Z values traditional incentives like pay raises and benefits, but data indicates that they are more likely to stay with employers that share a genuine commitment to work-life balance, DEI, social impact, and sustainability.

Tomorrow’s Technology is Surprisingly Human

For all the talk about AI and other emerging technologies replacing humans, I’m feeling optimistic. For one, the cost of automation is too expensive — at least, for now. According to one of the most in-depth probes of AI completed to-date, researchers found that fewer than one-in-four employees could be effectively replaced. And in many of these cases, the technology is too costly to install and operate and requires humans to run it.

Over the past three years, I’ve had the incredible opportunity to work alongside leaders in the transportation sector to explore the role of innovative technologies, including AI-powered tech, on transportation design, construction, inspection, and maintenance.

From inspection tech that leverages drones equipped with photogrammetry, to utility visualization using VR/AR, BIM for infrastructure, 3D modeling, remote collaboration and inspections, the infrastructure, mobility, and transportation industries are poised to experience a seismic shift.

Yet, it’s going to take more than cool technology to get us there. Change management, workforce training, environmental planning, communications, and so much more are going to be key.

The Future is Flexible

The emergence of the gig economy and the demand for more flexible career pathways reflects a deep change in how workers define job security. According to our research, both Gen Z and workers nearing retirement value the autonomy and versatility that gig work can offer — namely, the opportunity to gain new skills and work from anywhere. We recognize that the flexibility of gig work may not be possible for every company or role, which is why we’re helping our clients develop tools and programs that support diverse career options.

By partnering with companies to create supportive pathways for continuous learning and professional growth, we’re ensuring that workers can thrive in a rapidly changing job market. Amid ongoing competition for workers, flexibility is crucial for attracting and retaining talent who are choosing to shy away from a more traditional career journey.

With all its rapid advancements, technology is here to enhance our capabilities — not replace the invaluable human touch that drives genuine connections and creativity.

As we cross into this brave new world, let's consider the potential transformations we can achieve together.

What innovations are you witnessing from where you sit? How do they shape your approach to work and problem-solving? Share your experiences and insights in the comments below, and together, let’s shoot for the stars!

Image Source: KTLA 5