Co-founder of Work3 Institute | International Keynote Speaker | Co-Author of Employment is Dead (HBR, 2025) | Work Tech Advisor, Harvard Innovation Labs | Future of Work Visionary
MEET JOSH
Josh Drean is Co-founder & Senior Partner at The Work3 Institute, AI & Workforce Advisor at the Harvard Innovation Labs, and Co-author of Employment is Dead (Harvard Business Review Press, 2025). He is an HR Transformation and AI expert who marries web3 technologies with workplace strategies. As Co-founder of The Work3 Institute, a research, and consulting agency focused on human-centric digital transformation, Josh’s aim is to help companies thrive in the rapidly changing world of work. Josh’s work has been featured in Harvard Business Review, Forbes, Fast Company, and The Economist and he has made appearances on The Today Show, NBC, and FOX Business. He speaks internationally to bring workforce trends to digital-first leaders. Josh earned his undergraduate degree in I/O psychology and a masters degree at Harvard University, where he incubated and sold an HR Tech startup pioneering sentiment analysis in real-time.
TOPICS
EMPLOYMENT IS DEAD: How The Metaverse Will Radically Change the Way We Work
WORKFORCE TRENDS
The metaverse and web3 technologies are rapidly changing the way we interact with the digital world, creating new opportunities and challenges for the future of work. This presentation will explore the potential impact of these technologies on our relationship with work and provide insights into how to prepare for this new reality. To understand the impact of the Metaverse on the future of work, look no further than the current pains of the distributed workforce and observe the solutions a virtual world of work will provide. Realizing these possibilities will require an entirely new mentality. It’s not about the antiquated concepts of employee engagement or even designing a better employee experience, that’s like adding Ford Mustang car parts around a Model T chassis. The fundamental structure of work is outdated. We are clogging Industrial Age systems with Information Age speeds. The Metaverse and web3 technologies have the power to drive work forward new levels of productivity and growth by offering individual contributors greater ownership, flexibility, and agency over their work. Learning Outcomes: 1. Understanding the concept of the metaverse and web3 technologies and their potential impact on the future of work. 2. Identifying the potential benefits and challenges of working in the metaverse, such as increased collaboration, new business models, and potential privacy concerns. 3. Exploring the role of blockchain technology in enabling decentralized work and its potential impact on the future of work. 4. Learning about the skills and competencies that will be in high demand in the metaverse and web3 era, such as digital literacy, adaptability, and creativity. 5. Developing an action plan for preparing for the future of work in the metaverse and web3 era. The metaverse and web3 technologies have the potential to revolutionize the way we work and interact with the digital world. By understanding the potential impact of these technologies on our relationship with work and preparing for this new reality, we can take advantage of the opportunities and navigate the challenges that lie ahead. The future of work is rapidly evolving, and it is up to us to embrace this change and shape it to create a better world for ourselves and future generations.
THE ERA OF HUMAN+ Leveraging AI to Augment Human Potential at Work
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
In the rapidly evolving digital landscape, Generative AI has the ability to create and accelerate data driven decision-making. This shift brings new opportunities and challenges, but embracing change will help to drive better creativity, strategic thinking, and efficiency. AI has the power to relieve us from tasks that are mundane and repetitive, but to replace humans with automation is a fundamentally flawed approach for many companies who focus solely on the bottom-line rather than the potential for top-line growth. In this keynote, Josh reveals that by focusing on systems that amplify, rather than replace human capabilities, we can bridge the gap between the speed of technology and the pace of human adaptability. AI isn’t here to render us redundant; rather, it supercharges our capacity to do work that requires the human touch. Learning Outcomes: 1. Provide real-life case studies to illustrate the power of AI for business. 2. Demonstrate how AI tools assist in making better data-driven decisions. 3. Illustrate a framework for how AI immediately and tangibly improves employee experience 4. Deliver actionable next steps to show how AI helps leaders focus on elements that require a human touch, such as fostering organizational culture.
Decentralized Work: An Introduction to DAOs and Cryptonetworks
HR TECH + FUTURE OF WORK
In this engaging keynote, Josh makes the argument that employees will choose the Metaverse, just as they are choosing distributed, remote opportunities. Companies can take action to prepare themselves for the inevitable transition to the digital workplace. The metaverse and web3 technologies are rapidly emerging and have the potential to revolutionize the way we interact with the digital world. This introductory presentation will provide an overview of the concepts of the metaverse and web3 technologies and their potential impact on work. Learning Outcomes: 1. Understanding the concept of the metaverse and its potential applications in work environments. 2. Exploring the basics of web3 technologies, including blockchain and cryptocurrency, and their potential impact on work. 3. Understanding how the metaverse and web3 technologies can impact the way we work, such as enabling decentralized work and creating new business models. 4. Identifying the potential challenges and risks associated with the adoption of these technologies in the workplace. 5. Developing a basic understanding of the skills and competencies that will be in demand in the metaverse and web3 era. Conclusion: In conclusion, the metaverse and web3 technologies represent an exciting new frontier that will have a significant impact on work. By understanding the concepts of the metaverse and web3 technologies and their potential impact on work, we can prepare for the future and take advantage of the opportunities that these technologies offer. As the world of work continues to evolve, it is crucial to stay up to date with emerging technologies and be adaptable to change to thrive in the new digital era.
Your Competitive Advantage: Making Work MORE HUMAN + MORE DIGITAL
WORKFORCE TRENDS
Web3 and decentralized technologies have the potential to revolutionize the way we work and interact with our colleagues and organizations. By enabling greater transparency, accountability, and autonomy, these technologies can enhance employee satisfaction and workplace culture. This presentation will explore the potential benefits of web3 and decentralized technologies for employee satisfaction and workplace culture. In this keynote, Josh makes the argument that these virtual technologies make us more human AND more digital, that we can connect in ways that were previously unimaginable. Learning Outcomes: 1. Understanding the concepts of web3 and decentralized technologies and their potential impact on workplace culture and employee satisfaction. 2. Identifying the potential benefits of these technologies for employee satisfaction, such as greater transparency, increased autonomy, and improved work-life balance. 3. Exploring the potential impact of web3 and decentralized technologies on workplace culture, including increased collaboration, trust, and accountability. 4. Learning about the challenges and potential risks of implementing these technologies in the workplace, such as security and privacy concerns. 5. Developing an action plan for implementing web3 and decentralized technologies to improve employee satisfaction and workplace culture. Conclusion: It’s time to realize that Web3 and decentralized technologies have the potential to transform workplace culture and improve employee satisfaction by enabling greater transparency, accountability, and autonomy. By embracing these technologies and leveraging their benefits, organizations can create a more positive and productive work environment that fosters employee engagement and loyalty. However, it is essential to address the potential risks and challenges of implementing these technologies in the workplace to ensure their successful adoption. The future of work is evolving, and it is up to us to embrace these changes and leverage the power of web3 and decentralized technologies to create a better world for ourselves and future generations.
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