b'2024 CERC CONFERENCETHE NEW WORLD OF WORKBy Roma IhnatowyczCERCs 2024 Conference lays bare the hard reality of rapid change while providing insight on how to navigate itT he energy was palpable as CERC members gathered inharness its power without compromising our ethics. Indeed, added Montreal for their annual conference this past September.Cryne, AI is set to displace 81 million jobs, but it is also forecasted The theme was The New World of Work, and this new worldto create 100 million new ones. certainly made itself felt in a series of presentations and roundtables that tackled multiple aspects of the rapidlyIf anyone was still wavering about the direction things were heading evolving relocation industry. and the impact of technology, guest speaker Frances Edmonds The world is undergoing profound changes as we find ourselvesprovided a serious reality check. Make no mistake about it, she between the old order and the new one, CERC president andsaid, we are in the eye of a storm, somewhere between the fourth CEO Stephen Cryne told attendees. The winds of change areand fifth industrial revolution fuelled by artificial intelligence. So blowing strong and were navigating this change together. Werebrace yourselves and batten down the hatches because youre witnessing the transformation and an incredibly interesting part going to have to deal with this new phenomenon.of history. AI, pointed out Edmonds, should not be feared but rather used as Not everyone may find living in interesting times appealing, buta tool to handle simple tasks and free up relocation professionals to everyone must ultimately learn to adapt. The prevailing messageincrease their overall productivity. You need to learn how AI will during this years conference was that relocation professionals needimpact you and your business, she told CERC members, and use to accept the changes that lie ahead and take advantage of thethe opportunity to create a more successful, sustainable business.unique opportunities they present.PERSONALIZED WORKThe event zeroed in on many of these opportunities and takingKeynote speaker Illiana Oris Valiente, an innovation and emerging centre stage was artificial intelligence (AI), which CERC chair Malatech pioneer, was on hand to expand on the power of AI and other Cornell said was transforming our work industry. What reloca- opportunities. She even arrived with her own clonea digital tion professionals needed to do, she stressed, was learn how tohuman twin that she and her team had created. They spent hours Participants in More Fun than a Run, a walk held at the CERC 2024 Conference in support of Talent Beyond Boundaries14PERSPECTIVESWinter 2024'