Future of Work Roundup - Week of March 27

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. 

Utah becomes the first state to limit kids' social media use

According to Axios reports, experts and policymakers across the country are warning about the negative effects of social media on the mental health of young users, suggesting that action needs to be taken to protect them. Utah has responded by becoming the first state to pass laws limiting children and teenagers' use of social media without parental consent.

The Rise of AI: A Cautionary Tale of Progress and Responsibility

A recent TIME article revealed that GPTs will affect the work of around 80% of the US workforce, with almost 20% experiencing at least a 50% impact on their tasks. While acknowledging the potential benefits of AI, such as increasing inclusivity and simplifying training and reskilling, the article also explores the ethical and economic implications of this shift.

How Golfing Is Becoming a Preferred WFH Break Activity

According to research conducted by Nick Bloom, an expert in remote work, the trend of working from home (WFH) has resulted in a significant increase in golfing during the workday. Golfers are playing more on weekdays, particularly on Wednesdays, with a 143% increase in golfing activity in 2022 compared to 2019.

Hollywood’s Horror-Movie Boom

According to the Wall Street Journal reports Hollywood is in the midst f a horror-movie boom, with major studios like Paramount Picture, Warner Bros. Picture’s New Line Cinema, and Universal Pictures rushing to sign top horror writers and directors to bolster their offerings.  

How Firms Are Addressing ChatGPT Usage and Ethics

Bloomberg published an article investigating the increasing tendency of firms to establish and implement policies regarding the use of AI language models such as ChatGPT in a professional setting while considering the potential ethical concerns and challenges. Some companies are opting to ban the technology altogether, whereas others are embracing it as a valuable tool to enhance productivity, decision-making, and overall efficiency in the workplace.

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