Future of Workplace in 2020
In a groundbreaking competition, the Vision2020/biome team, composed of new media developers from our university's B. Thomas Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences and new media designers from our university's College of Imaging Arts and Sciences, has been crowned the first-place winner. The team's success was part of the Xerox Beyond The Office research study, a project that explores the transformation of the future workplace through inclusive, purpose-driven technology, and creative human work in an AI-augmented environment.
The Vision2020/biome concept introduces virtual projections and controllable models for remote collaboration, addressing issues such as work fatigue, isolation, and the increasing number of telecommuters. The team's innovative approach also incorporates three-dimensional virtual reality, touchable interfaces, and emotion-detection tools.
The Xerox Beyond The Office study proposes workplace innovations focused on inclusivity, purposeful technology use, and human-centered AI strategies. Key innovations and solutions include:
- Inclusive Decision-Making Frameworks: These frameworks aim to create safe spaces for diverse generational perspectives, recognizing different preferences in communication channels, work styles, and technology interfaces.
- Purpose-Driven Technology Adoption: Instead of adopting technology for its own sake, the focus is on clearly communicating the "why" behind changes. Training shifts from feature-focused to impact-focused education, helping employees understand how new tools improve outcomes for customers and professional growth.
- People-First Strategy in AI Integration: The teams emphasize the importance of encouraging workforces toward creative and strategic roles that AI cannot replace, distinguishing between efficient executors and innovative creators. This approach aims to foster engagement and reduce vulnerability to automation displacement.
While specific technical innovations or product prototypes from the Vision2020/biome team were not detailed in the available search results, the broader Xerox context suggests that future workplace innovations likely build on integrated services such as multi-function digital devices, workflow software, and services that integrate print and digital document management.
The winning Vision2020/biome team consists of Sara Anthony, Allison Carnwath, Danny Gibas, Liz Jones, J.R. Schmidt, and Margaret Velez. The prototypes developed by the team are on display at the fourth annual Imagine our university: Innovation and Creativity Festival, where visitors can try them out. The demonstrations will be given on the first floor of James E. Booth Hall, in rooms 1400, 1420, 1440, and 1480, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the festival.
The student teams spent 20 weeks brainstorming and designing their prototypes, with 42 fourth-year new media students from our university assigned to seven teams for the study. The festival showcases innovation and creativity from student teams, and Xerox scientists and engineers selected the top three teams from the presentations, awarding them a total of $10,000 in prize money.
Mike Furst, Xerox Research Lab Manager, received a demonstration of the Vision2020/biome prototype from Allison Carnwath, a fourth-year new media interactive development major. The fourth annual Imagine our university: Innovation and Creativity Festival is taking place on our university campus today.
- The Vision2020/biome team, consisting of students from our university's B. Thomas Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences and College of Imaging Arts and Sciences, presented their prototype at the fourth annual Imagine our university: Innovation and Creativity Festival on our campus.
- The Xerox Beyond The Office research study, which focuses on the transformation of the future workplace, proposes the adoption of purpose-driven technology, aiming to improve outcomes for customers and professional growth.
- The Vision2020/biome team showcased their prototypes, which include virtual projections and controllable models for remote collaboration, at the festival, addressing issues such as work fatigue, isolation, and the increasing number of telecommuters.
- The winning team's approach incorporates three-dimensional virtual reality, touchable interfaces, and emotion-detection tools, as part of their innovative strategy to foster engagement and reduce vulnerability to automation displacement.
- The teams participating in the study, including the Vision2020/biome team, spent 20 weeks brainstorming and designing their prototypes, with a focus on integrating services such as multi-function digital devices, workflow software, and services that integrate print and digital document management, in line with the broader Xerox context.
