As Microsoft approaches its 50th anniversary, the landscape of work continues to evolve at an unprecedented pace. The past year has marked a pivotal shift, moving from predictions and controlled lab studies to the real-world implementation and impact of new technologies. These advancements, built on decades of research and development, are beginning to yield tangible results, offering a clearer view of how generative AI is reshaping the way work gets done.<\/p>\n
We began the New Future of Work Report series in 2021<\/a>, during the height of the global shift to remote work. That inaugural report synthesized research to help reimagine work as traditional models were upended. The 2022 report<\/a> focused on hybrid work, exploring how intentional co-location could complement remote practices. By 2023<\/a>, the focus turned to integrating large language models (LLMs) into workflows, examining their potential to transform productivity and collaboration.<\/p>\n This fourth edition, released on the eve of Microsoft\u2019s 50th anniversary, builds on the foundation of the previous reports but is distinct in its emphasis on lessons learned from real-world applications. Over the past year, organizations have begun deploying generative AI at scale, revealing both its promise and its challenges. As such, this report centers on actionable insights derived from Microsoft’s research and beyond, offering insight into how these tools are shaping work in practice.<\/p>\n This is a moment for researchers and practitioners alike to move beyond observation and actively contribute to designing a better future of work. As generative AI matures and its integration deepens, this report aims to serve as both a guide and a catalyst for progress, helping our colleagues worldwide navigate and shape the ongoing transformation.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Editors: <\/strong>Jenna Butler<\/a> (Principal Applied Research Scientist), Mihaela Vorvoreanu<\/a> (Director, UX Research and Education), Rebecca Jan\u00dfen (Applied Research Assistant), Abigail Sellen<\/a> (Distinguished Scientist and Lab Director), Nicole Immorlica<\/a> (Senior Principal Research Manager), Brent Hecht<\/a> (Partner Director of Applied Science), Jaime Teevan<\/a> (Chief Scientist and Technical Fellow)<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" As Microsoft approaches its 50th anniversary, the landscape of work continues to evolve at an unprecedented pace. The past year has marked a pivotal shift, moving from predictions and controlled lab studies to the real-world implementation and impact of new technologies. These advancements, built on decades of research and development, are beginning to yield tangible 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