XR Technology: The Solutions Transforming the Global Job Market
Publié le 30 April 2024
XR technology is offering the solutions transforming the global job market to meet the needs of employers and employees across the world.
In recent years, the world has seen a number of pivotal shifts in the job market. The pandemic kickstarted problems, followed by political tensions around the world disrupting supply chains, and economic fluctuations leading to the threat of a recession. But, as of 2024, global unemployment is on the decline, and with it comes a rise in the use of tech across industries around the world.
One technological shift that’s making big waves in the global job market, in particular, is XR technology. But what is XR technology and how is it changing the way we employ, work, and collaborate? Let’s take a look.
What Is XR Technology?
XR tech is an umbrella term used to describe the forms of extended reality, which are augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and mixed reality (MR). These are immersive technologies, blending physical and digital worlds to create a new experience for users.
Augmented reality works by adding digital components to the real world around you. For example, you might use an AR app that utilizes your phone camera to layer digital objects onto a real-time view of the world. A common use is to add furniture into a room, seeing how an object will look in the desired location before making a purchase decision.
Virtual reality is a fully-immersive digital experience, which takes the user and puts them in a virtual space. Wearing a headset, their digital self is transported into a VR world where their physical movements are copied, letting them move around the space as though they were there.
Mixed reality blends digital and real-world, combining the concepts of VR and AR. Wearing an MR headset, users are able to see and interact with a digital overlay on the real-world view. So, for example, they could see a digital couch in the living room and spin it around using their hands. Or, they could type on a virtual keyboard viewed through their headset and see the words appear on a physical screen.
By 2025, it’s expected that XR headset shipments will reach 105 million, marking a huge shift in demand from the 7 million shipped out in 2020. It’s becoming more accessible, too, with virtual reality development and AR apps making it easier than ever for businesses to create their own XR platforms.
This tech, though still somewhat niche, is seeing a boom in popularity around the world. But how is it affecting the job market?
Jobs in Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality
Regardless of the rest of the economy, XR is one of the quickest-growing industries and is expected to reach – and then exceed – a global worth of $250 billion over the next few years, seeing a high growth rate indicating a prosperous industry.
Though there aren’t official employment figures for the XR industry yet available, growth in worth is usually accompanied by a rising number of jobs. However, the tech industry in general has been suffering in a post-Covid world, with big brands from Meta to Amazon announcing layoffs.
It’s good to note, though, that these companies are still recruiting for XR, and Amazon’s layoffs didn’t impact their AWS (Amazon Web Services a.k.a. technology) sector.
Jobs Will Be Enhanced by XR
One of the most interesting considerations of the up-and-coming XR industry is the impact it will have on jobs around the world. From healthcare to military services, it’s expected that XR will begin to be implemented by a huge range of industries, becoming a driving force behind growth.
One study conducted by PwC expects that industry use of XR tech will add $1.5 trillion to the world’s economy by 2030. Another set of research looking at the impact on US jobs predicts that by the same year, 2.3 million jobs will have been enhanced by the use of XR.
In terms of the job market, industries that are most likely to benefit from virtual and augmented reality include:
- Construction
- Healthcare
- Construction and engineering
- Marketing
- Education
The driving force behind this uptake is the benefits that XR tech can bring to industries. From aiding in staff training to bringing richer, more diverse experiences to customers, there’s no doubt that XR will change the landscape of business over the coming decade.
How Does XR Technology Affect the Way We Work?
Whether looking specifically into augmented reality jobs or at the broader picture of how XR will be used in non-tech businesses, it’s clear that this new technology will change work and employment. To learn more, we’ve taken a look at some of the main changes you can expect.
Recruitment
Businesses implementing XR are likely to see a shift in their recruitment. Something to consider is the fact that younger generations are more likely to want to work for companies leveraging cutting-edge technology, with an understanding of how it can improve their job roles.
As a potential employee, you can expect roles to be more competitive if they offer augmented reality and virtual reality solutions. Tech skills detailed in your cover letter could also enhance your application, showing that you’re ready to take on the digital workspace.
It’s also important to consider the older generations in the workforce who aren’t digitally native (brought up around technology). They may find the switch to XR tech more difficult to manage, and businesses must create a technology roadmap that includes implementation programs and training that address this.
Remote Work Capabilities
The global workforce has been moving back into the office in the wake of the pandemic, but a huge chunk wants to work from home for a better work-life balance. XR makes that possible, providing a more immersive workspace from the comfort of your couch.
From management to meetings, it bridges the gap between a home office and a business environment, providing a good middle ground for remote employees.
Employee Training
Perhaps one of the biggest shifts to the job market that XR will instigate is in employee training. With virtual reality, new members of staff can benefit from safe, risk-free training wherever they are in the world, with simulations of events making for more realistic experiences.
This could open up top roles to employees with great credentials but less hands-on experience, with more comprehensive training making them better prepared for their roles.
Final Thoughts
XR technology is causing ripples throughout the global job market. But, this immersive digital innovation is still in the early stages of uptake, meaning that you have plenty of time to adjust before seeing widespread effects.
