Future of work
The world of work in Canada and other industrialized countries is undergoing rapid transformation. Major forces driving change include digital technologies, artificial intelligence, climate change, demographic shifts and more. This change may bring far-reaching social, political and economic consequences for a generation of workers. IWH researchers are exploring the emerging issues posed by some of these trends—on health and safety, on work inequities, and on the inclusion of marginalized groups in the future of work—and seeking policy, system and workplace actions that can be implemented now to help ensure a healthy and inclusive future for all.
Featured
At Work article
AI and job quality project gathers partners to develop roadmap
As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes more integrated into workplaces, a new IWH project wants to ensure that job quality—and the health and safety of workers—remains a top priority.
Published: January 14, 2026
IWH Speaker Series
AI adoption at work: Which worker and occupation groups are most likely to be affected?
Published: November 18, 2025
IWH in the media
AI is reshaping the workplace – but what does it mean for the health and well-being of workers?
Throughout history, periods of technological transformation have introduced new tools to workplaces and altered working conditions in ways that have impacted worker health in both positive and negative ways. The increasing availability of smartphone technology, for example, has given rise to the digital gig economy characterized by temporary and freelance work, or short-term contracts. While this shift presents novel work opportunities, it also contributes to widespread labour market precarity that has negatively impacted the well-being of workers. This article is reprinted from an article authored by IWH's Dr. Arif Jetha in The Conversation Canada.
Published: Canadian Manufacturing, August 2023
IWH in the media
AI is reshaping the workplace – but what does it mean for the health and well-being of workers?
Businesses are increasingly turning to artificial intelligence (AI) to solve problems and perform tasks that have traditionally required human intelligence. However, the rapid rate of AI adoption is putting workplaces at risk of overlooking its potentially adverse impacts, particularly those that could impact the health and well-being of workers, writes IWH's Dr. Arif Jetha.
Published: The Conversation Canada, August 2023
Journal article
Journal article
Development and maturation of the occupational health services research field in the United States over the past 25 years: challenges and opportunities for the future
Published: American Journal of Industrial Medicine, August 2023
Journal article
Journal article
Artificial intelligence and the work-health interface: a research agenda for a technologically transforming world of work
Published: American Journal of Industrial Medicine, July 2023
At Work article
Three future of work scenarios to help develop inclusion strategies for young people with disabilities
What do we need to do now to ensure the inclusion of young adults with disability in the future world of work? Using strategic foresight methods, an IWH team generated three future scenarios of the working world and their implications for persons with disabilities.
Published: May 2023
Project report
Project report
Three scenarios of a future working world [for young adults living with a disability]
In the fall of 2022, an Institute for Work & Health (IWH) research team set out to examine how working life could change in Canada over the next seven years and what the implications might be for young adults with a disability. Using strategic foresight methods, the IWH team created three future scenarios that are designed to provoke discussion about the policies needed now to ensure an inclusive future for people with disabilities.
Published: March 2023
Journal article
Journal article
The future of work in shaping the employment inclusion of young adults with disabilities: a qualitative study
Published: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, January 2023
Project
Project
Artificial intelligence and occupational injury and illness in Ontario: implications for prevention and recovery
This study—one of the first of its kind to better understand the implications of AI for Ontario’s health and safety system—will build the evidence base on the scope and use of AI applications in OHS and RTW.
Status: Ongoing
Journal article
Project report
Project report
Strategies to ensure young persons with disabilities are included in the future of work
Researchers at the Institute for Work & Health are looking for concrete ways to ensure youth and young adults with disabilities are included in the future of work. In the summer of 2021, a research team conducted an online survey with a wide range of people across Canada. This report summarizes six key areas in the future of work that survey participants indicated could both pose difficulties and offer opportunities to young people with disabilities. The report also presents the solutions that participants suggested to address the barriers and take advantage of the opportunities.
Published: May 2022