Are We 100% Human at Work?

We were delighted to partner with Virgin Unite for the fourth time, bringing together HR leaders from across Australia for an exclusive gathering under the 100% Human at Work theme. The foundation of 100% Human at Work is based on the belief that businesses should consider people as human beings, not mere resources.

The latest Gallup research shows that 77% of people are not engaged at work, 59% are emotionally detached, and 18% are miserable. Today’s gathering was a chance for our HR community to collaborate and co-create the future of work through engaging talks, interactive panels and workshops.

Attendees heard from experts in various fields and had the opportunity to break into small groups to share experiences and insights on how to shape a vision for a better future of work that serves both humanity and the planet. Every session encouraged us to think critically about the changes we can drive in our own organisation to make our business 100% Human.

We started the day with a Walk on Country, led by Binowee Bayles, Head of Indigenous Programs at AMP. With her infectious energy, Binowee took us on an eye-opening experience, sharing her extensive knowledge of the land and her passion for building shared understanding. Seeing the land through Binowee’s eyes helped us better understand the native plants that have had many uses for First Nations peoples from the beginning of time, details in the buildings in The Rocks, and a newfound respect for Mother Earth. Sharing this experience with the 100% Human at Work community set the stage for an impactful day. During the walk, we built trust with one another, which paved the way for authentic conversations throughout the rest of the day.

Balancing the Human and Artificial Future of Work

First up, Creel Price, Co-Founder of Investible, led a thought-provoking discussion with expert panellists Dr Fiona Kerr, Founder and CEO of the NeuroTech Institute, and Dr Sean Gallagher, Director, Center for the New Workforce at Swinburne University of Technology. The discussion revolved around generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) and how we can build a human future of work. From a research lens, the panel examined the solutions that can help businesses empower their workers to thrive in disruptive times and create value for their organisations. They highlighted the unique advantages that both people and technology can offer and emphasised the importance of shaping a human-centric future that balances human and AI. The panel then asked us to consider how disruption affects the structure of work and how we can use AI to realise human potential. The 100% Human at Work community explored what we might lose by automating and how we can maintain the unique benefits of both AI and a human future of work. We unpacked how we can actively shape technology in line with the type of world we want to live in. A key takeaway from this discussion was the power of physical connection and how it can facilitate improved application of generative AI in the future.