Topic overview
In brief
- Mark Dixon predicts that commuting will be obsolete by 2040, especially for future generations.
- Research indicates that long daily commutes are already viewed as excessive by many workers.
- As younger leaders take over, the trend towards remote work is expected to grow, reducing the need for commuting.
Summary
In a recent discussion, Mark Dixon, the CEO of IWG, the world's largest workspace provider, shared his vision for the future of work, particularly regarding commuting. He believes that by 2040, commuting as we know it will be a thing of the past, especially for Generation Alpha, who will be accustomed to working remotely from any location. Dixon emphasized that future generations will find it hard to comprehend why workers once traveled long distances to use computers in offices. He noted that most white-collar jobs are already online and accessible through cloud technology, making the traditional office space increasingly obsolete.
Dixon's insights are supported by research conducted by IWG and global engineering consultancy Arup, which indicates that long daily commutes could be eliminated within the next 15 years. Currently, many workers, particularly in cities like New York and London, spend significant time commuting, with New Yorkers averaging around 53 minutes on public transport. This lengthy travel time is viewed as excessive by many, who prefer the flexibility of working closer to home or even from home.