Crisis plants the seeds of ingenuity, and as the world struggles out of the COVID-19 pandemic and into an unknown new normal, it’s clear that entire industries will be transformed by innovations that have emerged to combat the disease.

The world of work is changing faster than ever, and machine intelligence is at the centre of this change. Most recently, artificial intelligence (AI) has played a leading role in the fight against Covid-19. Scientists have used AI to help predict future outbreak zones, sift through research, and even run simulations on drugs to determine their efficacy.

It's safe to say most aspects of life will be quite different after the global coronavirus pandemic ends. A new report, "After the Virus" from digital firm Cognizant, looks at just how different things will be, from national politics to socioeconomics, work, business, and well, life in general.

After the coronavirus pandemic, the world will be quite different. Whether the lockdowns last weeks or months, very little will remain unchanged. In a bid to contain the spread of Covid-19, governments around the world have instituted health monitoring policies, leveraging GPS and other data from a variety of personal devices.

Countries around APAC are starting to phase slowly back into normalcy with additional safety measures like COVID-19 tracking apps for citizens. However traditional businesses have had to adapt to new realities of a post-virus world and the implications for CIOs will be profound. The days of the IT department being responsible for infrastructure and operations, with a relentless focus on cost reduction, are gone.

In a recent report forecasting life after the virus, Cognizant's Center for the Future of Work envisioned the creation of a massive Health Security Agency that would mandate automated illness scanning for any building, space or country.

“Inclusive leaders recognize the realities of what it means to work virtually and the need to be flexible," says Ben Pring, Director of Cognizant’s Center for the Future of Work.

After the coronavirus global pandemic, the world will be quite different. Whether the current lockdown lasts weeks or months, very little will remain unchanged by COVID-19. A special report from Cognizant’s Center for the Future of Work, After the Virus: A Special Report Looking Back on the Next Five Years, explores the most probable shifts across healthcare, education, retail, travel, technology, and government as the world becomes more connected and virtual.

The ongoing technological revolution continues to change the world in unforeseeable ways, which can make difficult the accurate forecasting of jobs we cannot yet imagine. Nevertheless, to help organisations and individuals prepare for changes we are expecting to see in the coming years, we embarked on the enormous endeavour of applying our knowledge across several industries to predict the new jobs that are likely to emerge over the next decade.

After the coronavirus pandemic, the world will be quite different. Whether the current lockdown lasts weeks or months, very little will remain unchanged by COVID-19. A special report from Cognizant’s Center for the Future of Work, After the Virus: A Special Report Looking Back on the Next Five Years, explores the most probable shifts across healthcare, education, retail, travel, technology, and government as the world becomes more connected and virtual. The report was written from a future perspective – as if the events were being chronicled in 2025, tracing the changes that unfolded in the immediate years following this pandemic.

After COVID-19, banking will be much different than it was pre-pandemic. The change in the way people bank, the future of work, the use of modern technology and the value of brands will all depend greatly on the time it takes to settle on a 'new normal'. A look into the future provides a good foundation for what needs to be done today.

Having the ability to access additional information via augmented reality AR is becoming more commonplace as businesses realise the advantages this can deliver. Enhancing what people see via smartphones, tablets and – increasingly – head-mounted displays (HMDs), has the potential to transform many business processes.

The future of work is always in the future, but it is approaching much faster than ever before. We believe 2020 will be the year of realisation for many organisations and leaders. Here are our top five predictions of how the way we work, live and play will change in 2020.

Businesses have entered an era of eternal data-harvesting, making data an extremely valuable commodity. And for that reason, as with any other high-value asset, it is vulnerable.

A generation of executives uncomfortable with technology spell trouble for business longevity. While CIOs have ascended the ranks, many failed to translate technology’s benefits to business value.

The last quarter of 2019 saw a big jump in demand for a bundle of jobs that could dominate the future, per an index tracked by the IT services firm Cognizant.

Would you buy a product or service from a company you have not heard of but was recommended by your voice-based personal assistant? Well, 46% of consumers in Southeast Asia recently surveyed said they would.

To “beat the robots,” we shall need to join them. Robotic personal assistants will help buy back at least that 15 percent capacity (or more) needed for the skills of tomorrow. And that is nothing to be afraid of.

“With greater visibility of technology-driven initiatives, CIOs have to be better politicians than ever,” says Pring.

“In the future of work, the most successful companies will be those that manage intergenerational needs and factor in changing technologies in a way that makes sense for people of all ages,”...

Excerpts from The Wall Street Journal’s article: “The Business Roundtable, whose members include the chief executives of many big U.S. companies, is the latest organization to recognize one of...

“Due to a range of factors, a new age has dawned for the European banking industry, with the barriers to entry drastically lower,” writes Euan Davis, Associate Vice President, Center for the...

“The tools of the future are close, and it’s time for businesses to get ready to harness them,” writes Ben Pring, Founder and Managing Director, Cognizant’s Center for the Future of Work....

Excerpts from Information Age’s article, reproduced with permission: “Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR), although limited at the moment, will be a vital technology in improving...

“The AI-augmented customer is changing the very meaning of ‘brand’ and the resonance of a ‘brand name,’” says Manish Bahl, Associate Vice President, Center for the Future of Work,...

““Based on Cognizant’s research, traditional companies will need to go the extra mile in overhauling their digital infrastructure, go-to-consumer strategies, and customer experience...

“Just as microscopes changed medicine, artificial intelligence is a ‘datascope’ that will give new insight to solutions previously thought unimaginable,” writes Ben Pring, Founder and...

“In a world of hyper-connectivity, the CMO mandate for the next 10 years pivots on resonance: making meaning for the consumer and building brand experiences that last,” writes Euan Davis,...

"A lot of companies have been on a hiring tear, but now they are seasonally constrained where they get their talent from," said Robert Brown, vice president at Cognizant's Center for the Future of...

“There is new work for people to do to ensure that key moments for consumers last,” writes Ben Pring. “Thanks to technology, new jobs have been created ― and will continue to be created...

Excerpts from City AM’s article reproduced with permission: “The future of work is at the heart of every major socio-economic-political debate. Although many are excited by the increasing...

“Do not plan your career for the past, plan for tomorrow,” says Paul Roehrig. Excerpts from EXAME’s interview with Roehrig: “EXAME: The big question is what will people do when the...

“As the future of work unfolds, what makes us human is what will make us employable,” writes Manish Bahl. “Attributes like adaptability, flexibility, self-motivation, empathy, creativity,...

Cognizant is ranked No. 193 in the 2019 FORTUNE 500 list, up from No. 195. The FORTUNE 500 is Fortune magazine’s annual ranking of the largest corporations in the United States. Cognizant’s...

Ben Pring recently spoke with Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung about jobs only humans can do. Click here to read the full article in German. (Subscription required.)

"HR has been the poster child of the sclerotic back office," said Robert Brown, "There has to be a renaissance, and companies have gotten the memo. They know these jobs are going to have to...

Excerpts from Cloud Computing Insider’s article: “Cognizant conducted a global survey of 601 executives and 262 higher education institutions in Future of Learning. It shows what changes...

“The golden age of traditional banking, where the threshold for new challengers has been too high to penetrate, is coming to an end,” says Euan Davis. “A drastic change in the banking...

“It is an honor and a privilege to join Cognizant, which has been at the forefront of the digital revolution – driving innovative and transformational change for many of the largest...

“How the industry and academia rise up together to make the right choices and decisions in the next few years will shape the fate of individuals, educators, businesses and even whole...

“To get to the future of work we have to first rewrite the rules of learning, and it is the responsibility of both sides to get there,” writes Manish Bahl. “Without fundamental recasting of...

“Technology is pushing the envelope of human capability, and when we combine the strengths of humans with the strengths of machines in a joint environment, magic can happen,” writes Manish...

Excerpts from Die Welt’s article: “In its latest report, 21 More Jobs of the Future, Cognizant discusses the ultimate antidote to the commonly depicted dystopia of machines replacing human....

Euan Davis recently discussed the future of banking with IBS Intelligence. Click here to read the article: https://bit.ly/2GOXHwI.

Euan Davis recently outlined five digital trends for 2019 in ITProPortal. Click here to read the article: https://bit.ly/2DWEtDw.

“The new machines will raise the standard of living and create an era of economic growth stronger than anything we have seen in the Western world over the past fifty years.” Excerpts from...

“The days of traditional banking, where barriers to entry were astronomical, are coming to an end, and a drastic change of mentality is needed in the industry's established sector if it wants to...

Euan Davis recently discussed the importance of the physical workplace with Raconteur. Click here to read the article: https://bit.ly/2DO0ogb.

"The paradigm is shifting,” says Ben Pring. “Powerful people are asking questions on the record in the halls that they've never asked before.” Excerpts from Axios’ article: “For two...

"A lot of jobs will be STEM-based, tech-based jobs, but loads won’t be,” says Ben Pring. “They’ll have a tech component within them, but they wouldn’t be tech jobs, per se. You have to...

“On one hand, profit-minded executives absolutely want to automate as much as they can,” said Ben Pring. “On the other hand, they’re facing a backlash in civic society.” Excerpts from...

“The Indian IT industry is on the cusp of change,” said R Chandrasekaran. “It is clear that the old model which was based on low costs will not work anymore. It must move from labour...

“Frank [CEO Francisco D’Souza] often says never miss a crisis, it’s an opportunity," said R Chandrasekaran. Excerpts from LiveMint’s article: “For a quarter of a century since it was set...

“Our view is that the unleashing of ‘animal spirits’ — post Trump tax cuts — caused a surge in hiring across the board, e.g., jobs of the future and all jobs writ large,” said Benjamin...

“As regulators level the industry playing field, and technology helps to lower the barriers to entry and change the industry dynamics, European banks need to become ever more resilient,” says...

“In the years to come, we will most likely remember 2018 for the increase in interest in personal data ownership, following numerous data breaches impacting tech giants, unfortunate driverless...

“Whether apprehensive or excited, all businesses should continue to work with experts to find ways to merge business strategy and technology seamlessly, either incorporating them into existing...

Euan Davis recently discussed the significance of workplaces in the digital era with Intelligent CIO. Click here to read the article: https://bit.ly/2FzRkwR.

Sanjiv Gossain recently outlined some of the lessons companies can learn from early tech adopters with UK Tech News. Click here to read the article: https://bit.ly/2FEeZvW.

“Imagine trying to tell someone on the cusp of the Second Industrial Revolution in 1914 that that the next war – not the one they’re just about to fight – will be ended by a hydrogen...

“In our latest report, 21 More Jobs of the Future, Cognizant discusses the ultimate antidote to the commonly depicted dystopia of machines replacing humans,” says Euan Davis. “While the...

“Thriving in the digital era demands rapid innovation, experimentation and collaboration – and the main engine of success is not some magical technology; it is talented and inspired people,”...

“The vision behind our newest report is to profile futuristic jobs which leverage the power of artificial intelligence to blend technology with the ‘human touch’ for jobs in the future...

“As the future of work unfolds, what makes us human is what will make us employable,” says Manish Bahl. “Companies are increasingly placing a premium on job applicants who demonstrate skills...

Ben Pring recently talked about the need for changes in higher education to better prepare the workforce for the digital future with Daily Mail. Click here to read the article:...

Cognizant’s 21 More Jobs of the Future report and Jobs Index were recently covered in The Horizons. Click here to read the article: https://bit.ly/2rmN5w8.

Cognizant’s 21 More Jobs of the Future report and Jobs Index were recently covered in The Horizons. Click here to read the article: https://bit.ly/2rmN5w8.

“The angst that many people are feeling in a world where machines can do everything can only be calmed by creating new, better work for people to do, says Ben Pring. Excerpts: “IT services...

"A lot of the jobs of the future are jobs [that are being done] today," said Benjamin Pring, director of the Center for the Future of Work at Cognizant. "That everyone would be a computer...

“The road to digital presents numerous challenges as organizations strive to leverage advanced digital technologies to meet business demands, speed time to value and improve agility,” writes...

“In addition to adding growth, our acquisitions have also brought learnings around methodology, process and technologies; local delivery scale; advisory capabilities; training and enablement...

“AI is the next generation of tool that – as tools have always done – allow people to do things faster, easier and more proficiently that they could without tools,” writes Ben Pring. “AI...

“Leaders that can separate blockchain noise from reality and adopt a flexible strategy in overcoming the inevitable business-technology and cultural challenges that occur along the way will be...

“Leaders that can separate blockchain noise from reality and adopt a flexible strategy in overcoming the inevitable business-technology and cultural challenges that occur along the way will be...

“In connecting with and anthropomorphising technology, we might ask ourselves if we are losing something that makes us human,” writes Denham Pinder. “In fact, we are not. We are only trying...

“Leadership isn’t simply an intellectual challenge,” writes Denham Pinder. “Leaders are now being held responsible in the battle to digitise and innovate at a great scale.” Excerpts:...

“In connecting with and anthropomorphising technology, we might ask ourselves if we are losing something that makes us human,” writes Denham Pinder. “In fact, we are not. We are only trying...

"AI has the potential to ensure inclusion in workforce, but we need to ensure that it leads there,” said Paul Roehrig. “It can be used as a part of the solution to bring about gender parity,...

Vera Bergen of SRF 3 discusses five jobs of the future based on Cognizant’s 21 Jobs of the Future study. Click on the links to hear the audio in German. Excerpts: “In its study ‘21 Jobs of...

“Organisational change will make or break digital success,” writes Guarav Sharma. “Without the support of your most important assets – your employees – companies will find themselves one...

“The future of work is going to be hybrid and that is where the organizations can turn machines and humans into collaborative colleagues which can together generate much better results,” says...

“The future now rests on how we treat and manage data,” writes Robert Brown. “The long view of the future of privacy is that corporate leaders, companies and countries that do this...

“AI has endless possibilities to make products and industries more personalised, faster, more secure, and smarter,” says Ben Pring. “With the right preparation, training, and planning we can...

“We plan to train 250 individuals over the next 12 months,” says Eric Westphal. “The new delivery center in Mesa, coupled with our partnership with Maricopa Corporate College will not only...

“We are pleased to have the opportunity to not only expand our presence in Arizona, but also to provide technical training for in-demand digital economy jobs in partnership with Maricopa...

“Machines can do more, but there is always more to do that almost always needs humans,” says Manish Bahl. “Can a machine create itself, market itself, sell itself or fix itself? Machines are...

“While financial services are leading the way in embracing digital, two things have to work in tandem: providing exemplary customer service, and adherence to regulatory compliance,” writes...

“In the era of talentism, the employment supply-demand model has changed radically: talent does not need your company; your company needs talent,” writes Jayajyoti Sengupta. “Businesses that...

“The workplace of the future in the Fourth Industrial Revolution will also be one of discovery, powered by only the most forward-thinking of leaders, writes Ben Pring.“Quote part 2. . By...

“A focused strategy that prioritizes AI, such as the HEROES framework, can help businesses find their way into the future,” writes Manish Bahl. “Business and technology leaders that seize...

“When it comes to intelligent robots, the world seems divided into two camps: avid enthusiasts and those who fear the coming of a dystopian future,” writes Manish Bahl. “Fortunately, the...

“Businesses must focus on self-regulation based on openness and accountability, while keeping an ever-vigilant eye on the maintenance of human values,” says Manish Bahl. “If human...

“I believe that the CIOs should really try to understand the business problems they are solving and the benefits that can be derived,” says Rakesh Bhardwaj. “For that to happen, the CIOs...

“In many ways, a functional DR plan serves as an organization’s insurance plan to eliminate costly downtime, maintain market share, and guard their reputation,” writes Venu Lambu. “Though...

“Three centuries ago, the first industrial revolution altered society with the introduction of machines that have since become factory fixtures and key instruments in the manufacturing...

"Technology will upgrade every aspect of society, but that does not mean we are facing a cyber dystopia,” writes Euan Davis. “Rather, we will find ourselves in a recognizable world in which...

“(Security) is very integral to the whole world of digital, says Jayajyoti Sengupta.As we get into the world of AI with deep machine-learning and a lot more access to the information across the...

“In India, too much emphasis has been given to engineering streams, today’s business problems need more than just engineers,” says Satish Jeyaraman. Excerpts: “If you look at the ICT...

“New tools don’t automate people away,” writes Ben Pring. “They allow people to do things that people have never been able to do before.” Excerpts: “AI isn’t, as it is being...