4: The Future of Work: The Emergence of the Bitworker

In this chapter, we look at how work will evolve to where the idea of a permanent single job is rare and how multiple income streams become the norm. We consider implications for training and education and envisage what work will look like.

We have seen that, in the algorithms, blockchain and cryptocurrency (ABC) economy, work is eventually broken down into its constituent microtasks and that as these tasks become simpler and simpler, the skill set required to do them becomes less. As such, the eventual and inescapable conclusion is that there will be little to no specialisation as we currently recognise it and that virtually any task could be completed by virtually any individual. Complex microtasks can emerge from the ABC economy, but again, they will be broken down to simpler forms.