Future of Work Roundup - Week of September 4

Welcome to the Future of Work Roundup. Each week, we bring you five top stories—drawing from the latest academic research and industry trends—to give you an easily-digestible snapshot of how work is changing—and why it matters. 

From Boosting Productivity to Digital Exhaustion: The Double-Edged Sword of Collaboration Tools

This week's article from Harvard Business Review delves into the paradox of collaboration tools. While designed to boost productivity, an overload of these tools can leave employees feeling overwhelmed and helpless. The "Collaboration Cleanse" experiment by Asana and Amazon reveals that awareness about tool overload can actually exacerbate feelings of helplessness, suggesting that top-down intervention is essential for meaningful change.

Age Bias: America's Workplace Dilemma

Axios reports on the enduring issue of age discrimination in American workplaces, affecting one in four workers aged 55 or older. The bias leads to longer periods of unemployment for older workers, causing financial strain and preventing employers from tapping into a wealth of life experience and skills.

Anguilla's Tropical Take on AI Domains  

According to a Bloomberg article, the Caribbean island of Anguilla is making millions from the surge in demand for .ai domain names, fueled by the artificial intelligence boom. The island could rake in up to $30 million in domain-registration fees in 2023.

Why You Should Recharge That Dusty Fitness Tracker

The Wall Street Journal reports that new research validates the effectiveness of fitness trackers in promoting physical activity. Despite a decline in sales, these wearables have been shown to increase daily steps and encourage family-based fitness goals. The key obstacle remains sustaining these habits long-term. 

Enterprise Times Analyzes Asana's Study on the Slow Adoption of Daily AI Use

Enterprise Times reports on Asana's "State of AI at Work Report," a survey of 4,546 knowledge workers. It finds that 36% use AI weekly but daily use is at 4%, mainly due to transparency and ethical concerns. The report advises companies to establish clear AI policies and guidelines for broader adoption.

Thanks for reading. Stay tuned for next week’s Future of Work roundup.