The evolution of the internet and mobile technology make it possible for more workers to telecommute and contribute to a more decentralized workforce structure. In a decentralized workforce, employees may collaborate in a functional area or on a work team, but they do not necessarily work together in the same office.
Many believe that while the physical location of some work has changed, the origination of work is still centralized – but a future could be coming in which yet-untapped groups will achieve economic potential outside of traditional employment. These groups may be viewed by economists now as “inactive” in the workforce because their work is not recognized or monetized. If and when they are recognized or monetized, they could contribute to an evolving decentralized workforce. Examples of such groups include:
- An extended workforce joining the global economy from various nations. They may provide an untapped resource to boost the global economy. They would be enabled by freely available tools and technology such as mobile, video, social media, AI, and blockchain.
- Gig workers who work via a platform at some point to monetize their work. Examples: artists, on-call workers, contractors, seasonal workers, some consultants.
- Unpaid workers who support our collective well-being by working around the house, caring for relatives, shopping for necessary household goods, and childcare.
- YouTube influencers and individuals paid to play games in the digital games industry.
- Greater inclusion of the neurodiverse workforce (individuals on the autism spectrum). These individuals could use platforms and employment practices especially in the technology industry.
- Individuals who broadcast user-created videos on gaming platforms or who produce comics, photographs, and stories through various outlets.
- Individuals on unemployment.
- Former teachers, coaches, and stay-at-home parents who create courses and provide them for remuneration through online marketplaces.
- Individuals paid for their clicks and attention on browsers, receiving tokens which can be converted to cash.
- Artificial intelligence workers who complete tasks that AI cannot do yet for companies in the crowdsourcing marketplace.
- Expert consultants who can be hired for an hour or two or construct a new team.
- Digital shopkeepers who use various platforms (Shopify, Amazon, eBay, Etsy) to keep a digital shop open.
