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The research that I am seeking focuses on the workspace. I have spoken directly about office spaces and professional jobs that obtain desks and computers. I have not discussed hands-on professional jobs such as factories, engineering, and construction type workspaces. All of these industries can benefit from VR and XR. In the article, it discusses how factories are using AR to more effectively train their employees. They mentioned how the AR training is proving to be more impactful than traditional training. For the runways at airports, engineers and operators are able to use XR as a way to make necessary repairs to planes or give directions to pilots without having to use the typical bulky computers that the engineers have to carry around to do diagnostics and access step by step instructions to fix the issues in a plane.

The virtual reality and extended reality technology goes beyond the office space and providing digital desks. It improves work performance and speeds up the execution of assignments for hands-on professionals. Like, think about how auto technicians, plumbers, and electricians could do with technology like this. It could potentially enhance their work experience and the quality of their work.

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The Surround OS is a virtual reality workspace application that houses similar features that the Oculus possesses. But it also fills in the foreseen problems that would come with the Oculus, such as the ability to type on the platform. The Surround OS is a competitor of the Oculus. In my final paper, I will be able to dissect both products and compare them to each to identify the strengths and weaknesses of them both. The Surround OS was constructed by an entrepreneur who is a graphic designer that was tired of utilizing several screens that housed different sets of resources for his one project. The spark to the development of the Surround OS was that the creator wanted the ability to multitask and reference different screens without shifting focus and screens.

Learning about a different prototype that competes against the Oculus will allow more room for conversations about what is missing and what is important for these types of products to be successful. Both products have strengths and weaknesses, which will allow me to understand what will make these types of innovations a hit instead of a miss. The more actual products that I am able to identify what features are needed to make the transition into the virtual workspace era.

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Gaming technology was the beginning of some influential devices being created. But no longer do these devices stand within gaming anymore. They are making the transformation over to the professional world. VR tech will no longer only focusing on gamers, the professional world is getting a taste of it too. The well-known Oculus is expanding its audience to the professional atmosphere by constructing a virtual workspace for professionals to conduct their daily work habits. In an era where we are conversing about where will the digital age take us this product is giving us a peek at what it will look like.

The Oculus VR enables the user to connect to their own virtual workspace world where they can maneuver through various work applications just by using their hands. And the best thing yet it supports the ability to work remotely. It avoids the necessity of driving to the office, keying, and sitting at your traditional desk. You are able to be in the comfort of any space that you desire to conduct your work. This article supports my research because it is an actual product that is bringing my argument into reality. Folks have actually tested the product at the Facebook event that was mentioned in the article. I will be able to refer to this article as an example of what the future can look like, plus it mentions certain problems that arise for transferring to a product like this.

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This Forbes article takes an angle that deep dives into a specific company that explores the adoption of VR in their business structure. Their adoption is different than the angle that I have been speaking about. They are using VR as a tool for their clients to virtually experience their building design. The architecture business uses VR to allow its clients to see their vision in virtual reality. This allows the clients to identify if spaces need to be sized, reorganized, and restructured. It is a pretty efficient way to make revisions before it is too late because the construction is complete.

This an easy way to implement these technological advancements into your workspace without completely converting your space into a digital space. This brings simplicity and eases the process of successfully constructing a building for a client. The company is using technology to resolve a problem or prevent a problem from occurring. This article will expose the different ways and levels of implementing a digital space into their work environment. It will comfort those that are not exactly excited about their job becoming more digital, this is easy to implement the technology and make your clients happy.

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We already know that the workspace is changing and becoming more digitally advanced through the technologies that businesses are adopting for their employees. I have posted about the various technologies and systems that will change the face of the workspace. But what will look like for the work environment? What precautions will need to be made for security? Well, this WIRED article speaks about what effects of these innovative workspaces will have on a business.

In previous posts, I have shared about how employers will begin creating more contracts to recruit freelance self-employed workers for certain projects. There are projections that many employees will be interested in this structure allowing more freedom and flexibility for the workers. But on the other side, there are some negative outcomes that come to a business. For example, there can be a fear for businesses losing their largest assets, which are their employees that obtain exceptional skill sets that have taken business extremely far no longer have a complete attachment to the business. Through this model, these exceptional professionals can be exceptional for multiple businesses, not just one.

This article will supplement my paper by sharing the different avenues that these innovations can positively and negatively shift the workspace. I have often seen positive things that will occur, but haven’t seen much when it comes to negatives. But it would be interesting to see is if more professionals are in favor of this shift compared to businesses.

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Augmented Reality for Business

Augmented reality hardware and software in the next coming years will be implemented in businesses, such as manufacturing, engineering, and architecture businesses. These businesses will need this technology to visualize or blueprint projects in a more realistic view. These engineers and designers will be able to visually understand diagrams, complex instructions or directions, and display a structure in its assigned location through AR technology. The majority of augmented reality devices are head-worn devices that project contextual information for the user. These systems “employ displays or projection devices that project contextual information for the user.” This could lead to technology to be created to not only project infrastructures or design concepts, but it could create display augmented offices or conference rooms that all people to meet and interact through this technology. It could be another improvement to remote work environments. It could assist businesses that no longer want to maintain a physical office space or building.

This is related to my study because it will change the workspace and work performance. It shares how another piece of digital media will and can impact the way that work is executed. It adds to the list of innovative technologies that can impact the efficiency and productivity of a business.

https://www.gartner.com/smarterwithgartner/exploring-augmented-reality-for-business-and-consumers/

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AI Changing the Game

Don’t we already have artificial intelligence involved in our business? At least our personal business? Gartner shares that technically we use AI almost daily. We use Google to search for quick information that either helps us understand something or give us locations to a destination. AI is the source that allows these occurrences to happen. In regards to AI being implemented into the workspace, futurists envision AI allowing businesses and employees to have an enhanced personalization of their work environment. AI overall is supposed to implement a more efficient and easier operation for everyone in the space. There are levels of implementations for AI to be incorporated. Some businesses will use it as a tool to stay organized and meeting deadlines. While others could be using it to the extent of tracking progress and performance, assigned specific tasks that include emailing or communicating with employees about certain projects or assignments.

This article is important to my final paper because it is a useful tool to communicate ways that AI will play an important role in workspaces becoming digitally based. As we have seen how AI has impacted our personal lives on a daily basis, just imagine what it will look like once businesses open their doors to it. It will literally be like every employee will have their own personal assistant that executes simple tasks that allows the employee to focus on large items on their agenda. It will free up time for workers with hopes of relieving stress and anxiety for them to meet deadlines.

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AI Supplementing the Workspace

The previous articles that I have shared will support what is to come to the workspace in the future. Like it has identified the various platforms or programs that will be instituted. But the thing that is missing is how these programs or products work. Like how will it look in daily interaction with employees? This will be essential information for those that might be anxious about artificial intelligence (AI) taking their jobs. But Gartner communicates that will most likely not happen. The project that AI will be used to assist employees and managers with simple tasks and reminders.

Matthew Cain, the vice president, and analyst at Gartner, shares that AI in the workspace will be assisting with scheduling,  setting and communicating reminders, conducting performance reviews, providing guidance such as sifting through data and information. As well as identifying mistakes before it actually happens. I believe these types of utilization of AI will be critical for businesses, especially when mistakes can be extremely detrimental to a company’s reputation. AI will more I like a side on the dinner plate than the main entree is a way for folks to look at it.

https://www.computerworld.com/article/3438383/gartner-get-ready-for-more-ai-in-the-workplace.html

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AI in the Workspace

I have learned that virtual workspace and digital workspace look differently for each business. There are businesses that will want to maintain a physical space while reconstructing the functionality of their team. At the same time, there will businesses that will purely be based on digital interaction with no physical space or a business restructuring by removing a physical space and becoming a digital foundation that welcomes freelancers and remote employees.

This particular article from Gartner communicates how technology advancements, such as artificial intelligence (AI), will impact the workspace in the coming future. Businesses will not only have to adapt their functionality and how they maneuver. Even though AI  will create numerous advancements for businesses by enhancing productivity and efficiency. Occasionally with businesses, they don’t always analyze and consider impacts that may occur. Gartner shares that businesses will need to begin constructing and implementing AI policies and regulations. The article describes that AI could create a hostile environment if employees were not able to adapt.

https://www.gartner.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2019-01-24-gartner-predicts-70-percent-of-organizations-will-int

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Enhancing Workspace to Improve Employee Performance

In 2018, Gartner published a report that explained the importance of prioritizing employees style and comfortability of work. They share that if you construct a work environment that is flexible enough to allow employees the freedom to shape their space they need to produce their best work, they should allow it. Gartner shared how digital environments are essential tools in constructing this, because it will open the door to employees working remotely and selecting their preferred space, instead of having to work in an assigned space. Most often, these assigned spaces are not the easiest to redesign or reshape. Its typically a consistent design or structure throughout the office, but some might have picture frames to spice it up. In other words, it limits the freedom of the employee to shape their space to be the most comfortable.

This article helps me understand the impacts that remote workspace and digital workspaces will have on the productivity and well-being of an employee. Instead of looking at the how this will benefit the business on their operations and finances.

https://www.gartner.com/binaries/content/assets/events/keywords/digital-workplace/pcce13/cx18_research_note_summary_crafting-workspaces_1.pdf

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Workspace Future

Gartner published an article titled, “The Future of Work.” Within this article they number the different ways that workers and businesses should begin to transition their way of thinking about how work will be executed. Gartner created a 6-point plan for businesses to “future-proof” their business. The plan consisted of:

1) An new era of working

2) An new era of learning

3) An new era of opportunity

4) An new era of co-workers

5) An new era of motivation

6) An new era of balance

This document is a useful tool in my focus, because it points out specific ways that technology advancements and new innovating ideologies will influence how businesses operate their business. As. I am looking at the future of the workspace or virtual workspaces, it is great to know what folks are projecting to occur come 2027. With Gartner, they communicate effects that we normally wouldn’t think about when it comes to virtual or remote workspaces, such as co-workers and motivations. The projects express that the worker/employee will have the freedom to personalize their work experience and style instead of having to shape themselves into what the company wants. The worker/employee will be the focus instead of the company.

https://www.gartner.com/binaries/content/assets/events/keywords/digital-workplace/pcce12/gartner-future-of-work_v3.pdf

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Remote Workspaces Connecting Digitally

In the Forbes article, The Future of Stuff Is Shared or Rented, it shares two established businesses that manage remote office and conference spaces. They were called Serendipity Labs and Impact Hub. While researching Serendipity Labs, I fell upon an article about how they just built a partnership with a digital company called, LINC. LINC is an “online streaming service and a content distribution platform.” It connects people from all over for various things, such as meetings, seminars, product launches, and more. It is a perfect way to connect people to major events that are happening all over the country and world. This a prime example of how digital platforms are influencing the workspace into becoming a remote workspace. We can envision people expressing major events like CES, Apple releases, or more as if they are there because the event is focusing on those that remote. This would allow companies that typically host these events in a massive space that can hold a large number of people into hosting it on a digital platform that connects even more people to their releases.

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/serendipity-labs-coworking-launches-linc-its-live-streaming-service-and-content-distribution-platform-for-meetings-and-events-300876190.html

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Shared/Rented Workspace

As we observe, society is becoming more conscious about the efficiency of living, especially when it comes to money. Money can be a blockade for many things when you are trying to live your best life. For example, transportation, fashion/clothing, obtaining a workspace as a small business, and etc. Let me focus on small businesses real quick. There are numerous entrepreneurs that are evolving every day and learning the costs of operating a business as they go. For entrepreneurs that own a business with employees, they tend to feel responsible for identifying a physical location for the business to be housed. But, soon like actually very soon we will see that change. Technology is being created to open the freedom for business to occur virtually without having to obtain a physical office space or conference room. Blake Morgan, a Senior Contributor for Forbes.com, shares that you will see small businesses begin to rent spaces for a short period of time for a specific moment than owning or obtaining a long-term lease for an office space.

Not only will offices be shared or rented for segments of time, but she Morgan projects that clothing, pets, and parking spaces will be shared. In regards to parking spaces, folks who own a home or a housing unit that obtains parking, they could offer it to others for a period of time.

With these shared or rental spaces to be successful, it requires digital platforms. A digital platform will enforce security, quick accessibility, and timely communication, and more. 

https://www.forbes.com/sites/blakemorgan/2019/10/14/the-future-of-stuff-is-shared-or-rented/#75f3e9453a40

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Smart Offices

As I research more about smart offices and virtual offices becoming reality, the more I recognize that we are in the nurturing stage of the process. We are already utilizing numerous digital media platform that is connecting co-workers together from different spaces. For example, a commonly used platform called Zoom, not only allows people to video chat but they allow you to share your desktop screen, presentations, and more. These are the initial platforms that will introduce us to what is ahead. According to Medium.com, they are expecting 50% of the workspace will adapt into a remote foundation (Fahad, 2019). A consistent trend that I have observed has communicated our work environment that we currently know will convert into a freelance arena. An arena where freelance workers are sought out and seek employment opportunities for specific projects. This could change the entire game for people seeking their careers in the future.

This article specifically points out what the future might have in store for us. They categorize a variety of different expectations, such as smart assistants to IoT for enhanced productivity. Pretty much sharing that technology will enhance the productivity and efficiency of the production of work.

The Next Big Trend In The Future Of Work? Smart Offices: https://medium.com/skiplist-publication/the-next-big-trend-in-the-future-of-work-smart-offices-aa6112ebfc29

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Digital Workspace v.s. Physical Workspace

As we talk about the future of technology and digital media, we have to have a conversation about how the will impact the work world. I have recognized that there is an increase in conference rooms obtaining a phone or equipment for video conference calls. Universities, businesses, and organizations are utilizing these digital resources to create a more flexible work environment especially for those that have to travel for partnerships, conference, or etc. while handling business back at their physical workspace.

 I truly believe eventually our technology and digital mediums will allow businesses to employ more remote employees instead of only hiring local professionals. According to Forbes, they believe that a remote workforce is actually more beneficial than it is detrimental. They believe it provides more freedom, more productive work ethic, and more talented professionals. “Owl Labs conducted a survey and found that 16% of global companies are now fully remote and 52% of employees around the world work from home at least one day a week” (Forbes, 2019).

4 Reasons Why a Remote Workforce is Better for Business by Forbes

https://www.forbes.com/sites/amarhussaineurope/2019/03/29/4-reasons-why-a-remote-workforce-is-better-for-business/#7fd9dcd31a64

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Introduction

Hello! My name is Julian. I am a graduate student pursuing my master's degree in media studies. This is my first time on Tumblr. I am being assigned to blog and interact on this platform for my COM 634 - Trendspotting course. I am truly excited to post content on this platform and share my thoughts that are inspired by class discussions.

The reason why I am taking this course is that my research deals with understanding trends and how they are constructed as well as executed. This course will be a resource that I will be tapping into to construct a successful research project. From the first class, I understand that the course will discuss a lot more than what I expect, which I am excited about. I hope to become out of the box thinker that is creative but realistic.

I am originally from Des Moines, IA. I received my bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication at Iowa State University. I come from a background where I was heavily involved in student advocacy and activism. I was extremely involved on campus, ranging from Black Student Alliance to my beloved Fraternity to Student Government.

My undergraduate research focused on defining the hashtag “Black Boy Joy” on Twitter. In this class, I am trying to think outside the box and I am considering looking into the digital world allowing people to grasp their freedom from work by creating platforms where businesses won’t need physical offices anymore. This is still an idea that I am exploring and still constructing.