From robotic journalists to self-driving lorries – it’s hard to deny that AI, automation and robotics are rapidly changing how work is completed, across almost every industry.

What’s still up for debate, however, is the impact these technological revolutions will have on the labour market. Let’s take a recent Deloitte report as an example. While they say 35% of jobs are at high risk of automation, they also argue that the ‘machine age’ will demand 4.5 million additional workers in professional occupations.

Will jobs be created or lost in the coming years because of tech? We’ll have to wait and see. Right now though, it’s crystal clear that the workforce is never going to be the same again. Let’s take a look in some more detail at four of the main tech trends which promise to shape the tech workforce of tomorrow:

Gig working

Nowadays, technological advancements have made it very easy for tech professionals to go freelance. With the gig economy on the rise, it’s clear that the days of the traditional 9-to-5 office job are long gone.

IT leaders recognise the benefits of using contractors. In fact, when we interviewed IT leaders and asked them what they thought needed to change to drive business innovation, 69% said they expected to become increasingly reliant on contractors. After all, they provide businesses with fresh perspectives, new ideas, flexibility and unique skill sets. Nonetheless, the most successful employers don’t rely on contractors – they use them to upskill their permanent workers. This strategy ensures they’re better positioned and equipped to meet long-term strategic business goals.

The skills gap

With businesses under pressure to evolve and embrace new ways of working, it’s clear that IT departments need to change. They can’t just be a technical support function anymore. They need to drive strategic growth, embrace new technologies, and put digital at the company’s core.

But making this a reality isn’t an easy task. Unleashing the potential of IT teams will take time – and training. By investing in development programmes that are tailored to specific individual and business needs, employees will be encouraged to think creatively about initiatives that will have a positive impact on the bottom line. It’s also worth considering hiring additional contractors, to fill immediate skills gaps and upskill permanent teams.

Employer demand

Cybercrime will soon become the UK’s most common offence, with several high profile cybersecurity breaches putting the issue firmly on the boardroom agenda.

So it comes as no surprise that IT security professionals have never been in such high demand. This is a trend that shows no sign of abating anytime soon. However, finding skilled talent who possess the required skills is proving to be tough. Upskilling in this area would be a sensible decision for IT professionals, whether they’re working on a contract or permanent basis.

Employee expectations

Transparency has never been more important for organisations. After all, channels like Indeed and Glassdoor have armed employees with the means to honestly and anonymously review what it’s really like to work there. As a result, cementing an effective employer brand and delivering on those promises is critical. That’s true for companies in all industries – but none more than tech, where it’s not uncommon for individuals with in-demand skills to have multiple job offers on the table at the same time.