Future of work — Will email disappear?
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[Article written on April 20th, 2023 by Jeremy Lamri with the support of the Open AI GPT-4 algorithm for about 10%].
As the digital world continues to evolve at a breakneck pace, written communication remains a crucial pillar of our daily interactions. From business emails to casual messages on social media, the way we communicate shapes our reality and our future. But with the advent of groundbreaking technologies such as GPT-4 and other artificial intelligence tools, how will written communication and email evolve in the coming decades?
The History of Email
The history of email is both fascinating and complex, reflecting the technological and social upheavals that have marked the evolution of human communication. It all started with ARPANET, the precursor to the Internet, which was launched in the 1960s as a government-funded project. Researchers and scientists were looking for a reliable way to share information and data between different institutions.
In this context, in 1971, Ray Tomlinson, an American engineer, made a major breakthrough by sending the first email in history. This simple and basic message, composed mainly of alphanumeric characters, marked the dawn of a new era in human communication. However, email as such remained confidential for several years, mainly used by researchers and academics to exchange information and data.
It was not until the early 1980s, with the advent of personal computers and modems, that email began to gain popularity. The first email service providers, such as CompuServe and Prodigy, allowed users to connect and exchange electronic messages around the world.
The explosion of the Internet in the 1990s elevated email to the go-to communication method for millions of people. Free and easily accessible email services like Hotmail and Yahoo! Mail emerged, providing users a platform to send and receive messages quickly and efficiently. Email became a crucial communication tool for both individuals and businesses.
At the dawn of the 21st century, email underwent another revolution with the advent of smartphones and mobile devices. Written communication became even more accessible and ubiquitous, allowing users to check and reply to their messages on the go. Businesses also adopted email as a marketing tool, targeting consumers with promotional messages and newsletters.
Today, email is a staple communication tool used by billions of people worldwide daily. However, with the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence technologies and online communication platforms, the future of email is expected to transform significantly. Whether it’s automating responses or integrating contextual tools, email is on the verge of entering a new era of sophistication and efficiency.
The 6 Possible Futures of Email
It’s unlikely email will completely disappear, but the way we use and interact with it could drastically change with the advent of technologies like GPT-4 and other artificial intelligence tools. Here are some possible scenarios for written communication in 2040:
1 — Automated Emails
In a future where automated emails could be handled by text-generation systems like GPT-4 and its successors, we could see a significant transformation in how we interact with electronic correspondence. By taking over a large part of email communications, especially answering frequently asked questions, scheduling meetings and completing other routine tasks, these systems could potentially free up valuable time.
Thanks to this automation, we could then focus on more important and strategic tasks that require thought, creativity and decision making. This development could also contribute to improving the overall efficiency of email communication, reducing response times and ensuring smoother management of daily tasks. Thus, the adoption of automated emails in the near future could redefine how we use and perceive this form of electronic communication, emphasizing productivity and time optimization.
2 — Intelligent Filtering
In a future where artificial intelligence technologies become increasingly integrated into our daily lives, intelligent filtering could become an essential element of email management. These filtering systems could offer users assistance in identifying and isolating irrelevant or unsolicited messages, thereby providing a more efficient and enjoyable email experience.
By analyzing content and communication patterns, AI technologies could determine which emails are most important and relevant to each user. By showing only the messages that truly require the user’s attention, these systems could significantly reduce the time and effort spent sorting and managing emails. Furthermore, intelligent filtering could also contribute to the fight against spam and phishing attempts, accurately identifying and warding off suspicious emails before they even reach the user’s inbox.
3 — Instant Communication
While platforms like Slack and other instant messaging services have gained importance in recent years, many businesses still do not use them or are not even aware of them. In the future, online communication methods like these could become widespread and continue to make emails less relevant, especially for quick and informal interactions. Indeed, instant messaging provides quicker responses and more direct interaction between users, which may be more suitable for certain situations than traditional emails.
Additionally, the integration of artificial intelligence tools into these communication platforms could further facilitate conversations and interactions between users. AI systems could assist in managing and organizing messages, providing automated responses for common questions, and even translating messages in real time for multilingual conversations.
4 — Contextual Emails
By analyzing email contents, AI could provide relevant information and recommendations based on the context of the conversation. For example, if an email mentions an event or appointment, AI could automatically extract important dates, locations and times, and highlight them for the user. Likewise, if an email refers to a particular article or topic, AI could suggest related articles or additional resources to help the user deepen their understanding.
Furthermore, AI could also facilitate contact management by automatically extracting and organizing contact information mentioned in emails. This would allow users to quickly and easily find their correspondents’ contact details without having to dig through their old emails.
5 — Real-Time Collaboration
Online collaboration tools, such as shared documents and virtual whiteboards, could become the norm for group projects and discussions, allowing teams to work together simultaneously and seamlessly, regardless of their location. Here again, even if this may seem trivial to some, it must be understood that these practices are still far from the norm. In such a context, emails could see their role evolve, transitioning from a primary communication method to a tool used mainly for updates and notifications.
Instead of exchanging individual messages, teams might turn to online collaborative spaces to discuss, share ideas, and make decisions in real-time. This could not only speed up the decision-making process but also facilitate problem-solving and encourage creativity. While emails may not disappear completely, their role in written communication could be redefined by the growing adoption of real-time collaboration and the tools that make it possible.
6 — Voice Interfaces
A widespread shift towards forms of voice communication would make written communication faster and easier for some people. Instead of laboriously typing messages on a keyboard, users could simply dictate their thoughts aloud, and advanced voice recognition systems would automatically transcribe these words into text. Virtual assistants could also understand the context of received messages and formulate appropriate responses, saving users time and energy.
Such voice interfaces could also make emails and other forms of written communication more accessible to people who have difficulty typing or reading, as well those who are more comfortable with oral communication. People with physical limitations or visual impairments could benefit from this technology, which would enable them to participate more fully in digital communication.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the future of email and written communication will depend on the evolution of our needs and our use of available technologies. While emails might change in form and function, it’s likely they’ll continue to play a key role in our digital communication. As we look towards the digital horizon, it’s clear that our future in written communication is dotted with innovative and exciting possibilities.
As artificial intelligence and emerging technologies continue to progress, they will shape the way we communicate, collaborate, and connect with one another. As we venture into new frontiers of digital correspondence, it’s crucial to remember that our insatiable curiosity, creativity, and commitment to continual improvement will enable us to make the most of these technological advances.
It is fundamental to bravely approach this new age of written communication, embracing the challenges and opportunities that present themselves, and ensuring our digital future is imbued with humanity, empathy, and innovation. For it is only by remaining engaged and inspired that we can create a world where technology and communication transcend boundaries and bring us closer together in ways we never previously thought possible.
[Article written on April 20th, 2023 by Jeremy Lamri with the support of the Open AI GPT-4 algorithm for about 10%].
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