Silicon success: San Francisco’s spotlight on the future of work
A WORKTECH conference taking place in San Francisco will bring together workplace leaders to discuss the priorities for modern workplaces, as well as the latest innovations in AI and design
WORKTECH San Francisco is set to return to the West Coast on 27 September 2024 at the Samsara headquarters. Known for its concentration of creative and tech talent, San Francisco’s downtown has weathered a turbulent period after the pandemic but has emerged as an economic and cultural hub offering a promising landscape for the future of work. Featuring over 20 speakers, comprised of leading international thinkers from industry and academia, WORKTECH24 San Francisco is set to attract some of the most innovative pioneers in the world of work. Here are some sessions to look out for:
Insights from experts
In recent years, organisations have embraced a multitude of different technologies designed to track occupancy and space utilisation – but conflicting priorities often means the full potential of data insights can fall short. In a panel titled ‘Have your cake and eat it too’, experts from Samsara and Butlr will debate where the balance is between experience and efficiency in workplace optimisation.
A second expert panel will bring the city of San Francisco to the centre of the conversation, as experts from JLL and the City and County of San Francisco will consider how borderless placemaking is redefining work. As organisations centre their focus on creating exceptional workplace experiences, cities too are looking at how they can reinvent the urban experience. As Bay Area employers, the experts will be uniquely positioned to consider how San Francisco is revitalising its urban core.
AI in action
The impact of AI on workplace design will be at the top of the agenda in a talk by Arjun Kaicker, the co-head of analytics and insights at Zaha Hadid Architects. With the explosion of interest and innovation surrounding AI, its role in supporting design ideation and space planning has never been so apparent. This talk will take a look at the trend in AI usage across workplace design, drawing on inspiration from Arjun’s own insights and experience of using AI tools at Zaha Hadid Architects.
Culture of experimentation
Rounding off the conference Annika Hoy, head of flex work and workplace strategy at Dolby Laboratories, will delve into the changes the organisation has made since the pandemic that exemplify their culture of experimentation. From codifying a philosophy around hybrid work into a strategy called ‘Flex Work’, to creating a proprietary work deconstruction tool, the team at Dolby Laboratories are committed to evolving the company’s physical workspaces.
A talk by Geniant chief experience officer David Dewane and co-founder of Solarice AI Jacob Shamberger will argue that many contemporary workplaces are stuck in a rut that social scientists describe as ‘languishing’. Using Solarice AI as a case study of a contemporary office environment that promotes ‘flourishing’, this talk with delve into the characteristics of languishing and explore how employee experience can be elevated to enable people to thrive.
Despite downtown San Francisco’s portrayal in the global media in recent years, the city is returning to the global scene with a strong mindset geared towards innovation and progression. WORKTECH San Francisco’s program is a reflection of where the city is today, with important learnings and implications for the global landscape of work.
Find out more about WORKTECH San Francisco 2024 here.
