This is not merely about staying current with industry trends; it is about making our jobs easier with the tools necessary for personal and professional growth. For Wiley, higher adoption of AI technology translates to a competitive edge in the marketplace. But we know we need to help colleagues through this transition.
By 2025, success will hinge on striking a balance between innovation and empathy, creating workplaces where technology amplifies human connection rather than replacing it.
Here are five trends reshaping the future of work:
AI as a Career Coach: Personalisation at Scale
One area I’m particularly excited for is the potential of AI to create personalised career development paths. By 2025, I expect to see organisations abandon more traditional role-based training. In its place, we’ll see AI helping build tailored pathways, making it easier to identify skills gaps, access the right learning resources, and outline clear steps for career advancement. At the same time, workers are eager to add AI to their skill set.
One of our recent surveys showed that 61% of employees are eager for AI training—a clear signal for People leaders to prioritise this transformation. By collaborating with learning and development teams, we can curate engaging, AI-friendly courses that not only meet evolving industry demands but also empower employees to take charge of their professional growth.
The Rise of Human-Centric Skills in a Digital Age
Even as AI automates routine tasks, interpersonal skills have become even more important. Empathy, adaptability, critical thinking, and communication are in demand. According to another survey, 80% of employees view these skills as essential in an increasingly tech-driven world.
By prioritising the cultivation of soft skills, organisations can nurture hybrid professionals who excel both technically and interpersonally. Companies that invest in people-first skills won’t just boost performance—they’ll create cultures that thrive on collaboration and connection.
Flexibility as a Workplace Standard
The debate around return-to-office (RTO) mandates underscores the growing demand for flexibility. Our survey data highlights that while 87% of employees acknowledge the benefits of in-person work, 80% advocate for remote options. In 2025, the most successful organisations will embrace hybrid models that cater to diverse employee needs without compromising collaboration.
Transparent and consistent RTO policies will be crucial for building trust. People leaders should champion technologies that bridge remote and in-person teams, tools that support flexibility and productivity rather than hindering it.
Well-Being in the Age of AI
Even as workplaces pick up the pace in terms of AI adoption, employee well-being must remain a top priority. By 2025, successful organisations will adopt a holistic approach. We’ll see AI-driven insights combined with human-centric strategies to support mental health, work-life balance, and personal growth.
For instance, AI may be applied to analyse workload patterns to identify imbalances and help identify employees at risk for burnout. Armed with this insight, HR teams can put into place more concrete action plans. A culture that leverages data to better assess employee well-being will drive engagement, loyalty, and innovation — proving that prioritising people is as critical as advancing technology.
AI Ethics and Responsible Adoption
Employees need clear guidelines on how to use AI responsibly. We can achieve this through robust training and regular and transparent communication. I expect we’ll see even more organisations articulate and embed ethical practices into their strategies to create environments where employees feel empowered to embrace AI confidently and responsibly.
As we navigate this new era, one thing is clear — the future of work is not about choosing between humans and technology, it’s about integrating the technologies into the flow of everyday work for our teams. Our goal must remain to help colleagues win at work and life!
By focusing on personalised growth, human-centric skills, flexibility, well-being, and ethical AI adoption, HR leaders can shape workplaces that empower individuals and drive organisational success. The future of work is ours to define—and it starts now.
—The author, Danielle McMahan, is Chief People Officer at Wiley, a US multinational publishing company focuses on academic publishing and instructional materials. The views expressed are her own.
