THURSDAY 22 MARCH
Future of Work Considered at Aspiring Conversations
6-8 April 2018
Artificial intelligence, robotics and automation have seen major changes in the employment market with many traditional
jobs disappearing and new opportunities opening up.
‘The Future of Work’ session at Aspiring Conversations festival of ideas in Wanaka on Saturday 7 Aprilconsiders the
changes and how we manage lives without work.
Two speakers have been confirmed for the session – Professor Ngaire Woods, the founding Dean of the Blavatnik School of
Government at Oxford University, and McKinsey Global Institute partner Dr Michael Chui.
Aspiring Conversations director Philip Tremewan says the work market today is very different to what it was 50 years
ago, “or even 20 years ago. There are so many new and different opportunities for people to earn a living – look at
Airbnb and Uber as just two examples.
“This session will be a fascinating insight into the future of work and how we live our lives in the years to come.”
Professor Ngaire Woods first went to Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar from New Zealand. Her research focuses on global
economic governance, the challenges of globalisation and the role of international institutions.
Dr Michael Chui leads research on the impact of disruptive technologies and innovation on business, the economy and
society. His research has included social and collaboration technologies, artificial intelligence, and robotics and
automation.
‘The Future of Work’ is one of nine speaker sessions at Aspiring Conversations, and is presented in association with
McKinsey & Company.
Aspiring Conversations takes place at the Lake Wanaka Centre from Friday 6 to Sunday 8 April and is an opportunity to
hear speakers with expertise in their fields – from history to human rights, and science to song. It features Prime
Minister Jacinda Ardern and Ireland’s former President, Mary Robinson, discussing change at local, national and
international levels.
Ticket sales for the three-day festival are strong with a number of sessions, including Jacinda Ardern and Mary
Robinson’s session, already sold out. Tickets for the Festival are available through www.aspiringconversations.co.nz.
Aspiring Conversations is presented by the Southern Lakes Arts Festival Trust, is sponsored by Milford Asset Management,
and is presented in association with McKinsey & Company. The festival is supported through grants from Creative New Zealand, Central Lakes Trust, Otago Community
Trust, and Queenstown Lakes District Council.
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