New report from DIGIT: five key challenges for the digital transformation of work
The Digital Futures at Work Research Centre has published a new report -‘Digital Dialogues: Shaping the digital transformation of work’.
The report outlines key findings from our five-year programme of research at the Digital Futures at Work Research Centre (Digit).
Five key challenges
The report focuses on three central facets of the digital transformation of work: the nature and extent of digital adoption by firms; changes to employment contracts and ways of working; and digital inclusion.
The research points to five key challenges for the digital transformation of work:
- Digital adoption is still patchy
- Investment in digital skills and literacy gaps is low
- Experimental employment contracts are disrupting established business models
- Many people are excluded by the digitalisation of work and employment services due to lack of resources, capacity or knowledge
- Workers are not being systematically consulted on the use of new technologies, but consultation can benefit firms
The report argues that more inclusive ‘digital dialogues’ are needed between policymakers, organisations, workers, unions and civil society on all of these issues in order to steer towards a better future of work.
Launch event
The report was officially launched at an event on Thursday 16 January 2025 hosted at techUK’s London office.
The event began with introductions from Nimmi Patel (techUK) and Damien Smith (UKRI Economic and Social Research Council). Key findings from the report were then presented by Centre Co-Directors, Jacqueline O’Reilly and Mark Stuart ahead of a panel discussion chaired by Sarah O’Connor (Financial Times). The panel, Peter Cheese (CIPD); Liz Williams MBE (FutureDotNow); Emma Stone (Good Things Foundation); Mary Towers (TUC); and Carl Clarke (Vodafone), kicked off a lively discussion about how to ensure productive and inclusive ‘digital dialogues’ about key challenges in the ongoing digital transformation.
Further research
Following the announcement of further funding from the UKRI ESRC: Economic and Social Research Council, the event also marked the start of Digit’s new research programme, exploring the emerging digital work ecosystem.
