The Future of Work: Research & Insights Trends

Latest Research

Jul 9, 2025

From Tools to Teammates: Navigating the New Human-AI Relationship

New research from the Upwork Research Institute explores how human-like AI relationships are reshaping productivity, burnout, and the future of work. Learn how leaders can redesign work for long-term success.

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Future of Work Insights

Research

Jul 9, 2025

From Tools to Teammates: Navigating the New Human-AI Relationship

AI Trends on the World’s Work Marketplace: How AI Is Reshaping the Way Humans Work

Platform Data Insights

Research

Jun 30, 2025

AI Trends on the World’s Work Marketplace: How AI Is Reshaping the Way Humans Work

Creating effective partnerships between people and AI: A conversation with Dr. Jenna Butler

Ask a Thought Leader

Research

Jun 30, 2025

Creating effective partnerships between people and AI: A conversation with Dr. Jenna Butler

The Future Workforce Index: Evolving Talent Trends in 2025 and Beyond

Future of Work Insights

Research

Apr 23, 2025

The Future Workforce Index: Evolving Talent Trends in 2025 and Beyond

The Most In-Demand Skills for 2025: Navigating Skills-Based Work in a Dynamic Economy

Platform Data Insights

Research

Jan 15, 2025

The Most In-Demand Skills for 2025: Navigating Skills-Based Work in a Dynamic Economy

Using AI to Enhance Collective Intelligence: A Conversation with Anita Williams Woolley, Ella Glikson, and Pranav Gupta

Ask a Thought Leader

Research

Dec 16, 2024

Using AI to Enhance Collective Intelligence: A Conversation with Anita Williams Woolley, Ella Glikson, and Pranav Gupta

About the Upwork Research Institute

The world of work is not the same as it was just a few years ago and leaders are facing brand new challenges as a result. The old work playbook is gone, and in its place, there are debates and decisions around workforce location, worker arrangements, and flexibility. However, leaders do not need to navigate this new world of work on their own.

The Upwork Research Institute is committed to studying the fundamental shifts in the workforce and providing business leaders with the tools and insights they need to navigate the here and now while preparing their organization for the future. Using our proprietary platform data, global survey research, partnerships, and academic collaborations, we will produce evidence-based insights to create the blueprint for the new way of work.

Meet the experts

Managing Director, Upwork Research Institute

Kelly Monahan, Ph.D

Dr. Kelly Monahan is the Founder and Managing Director of the Upwork Research Institute, where she leads research on emerging technologies, workforce transformation, and the rise of independent professionals. Previously, she held leadership roles at Meta, Accenture, and Deloitte, shaping future of work strategies for global organizations. She’s the author of two books, including the USA Today bestseller Essential, and a sought-after keynote speaker on talent innovation. Kelly holds a Ph.D. in organizational leadership and blends behavioral science with workforce strategy.

Senior Research Manager, Upwork Research Institute

Gabby Burlacu, Ph.D

Dr. Gabby Burlacu is a Senior Research Manager at Upwork, focused on how organizations evolve their talent strategies in a rapidly evolving world of work. Her research has shaped workforce transformation efforts at Fortune 500 companies and appears in peer-reviewed journals and books. She holds a Ph.D. in industrial-organizational psychology from Portland State University and brings deep expertise in workplace behavior and inclusive, agile work models.

Economist, Upwork Research Institute

Ted Liu, Ph.D

Dr. Ted Liu is an Economist at Upwork, where he studies how AI and technological change are transforming the labor market and reshaping skill demand. He holds a Ph.D. in economics from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and specializes in labor market dynamics and quantitative research. His work informs Upwork’s insights on workforce shifts, economic opportunity, and policy.

Meet our Strategic Partners

Guiding the Future of Work at the Intersection of AI and Economics: The Economic Advisory Council (EAC) is a strategic partner to the Upwork Research Institute, bringing together world-renowned economists and researchers from institutions like MIT, Stanford, and Georgetown. Formed to deepen our understanding of AI’s impact on work, the Council ensures our research, insights, and innovations are grounded in real-world economic theory and labor market data. Learn more about the council members below.

Dr. Nicholas Bloom

Dr. Nicholas Bloom, professor of economics at Stanford University and senior fellow at the Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research (SIEPR). Bloom’s research focuses on management practices, productivity measurement, and organizational behavior, with recent studies exploring the future of remote work and AI’s impact on workplace dynamics.

Dr. John Horton

Dr. John Horton, associate professor at the MIT Sloan School of Management and faculty research fellow at the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER). Horton’s research focuses on information systems, market design, labor economics, organizational dynamics, and the effects of AI on labor markets.

Dr. Kelly Monahan

Dr. Kelly Monahan, managing director of the Upwork Research Institute. Monahan studies and writes on emerging technologies, workforce transformation, and the integration of non-traditional talent models like freelancing, with particular emphasis on human-centric approaches to AI adoption and organizational design.

Dr. Sendhil Mullainathan

Dr. Sendhil Mullainathan, professor in the Department of Economics and the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at MIT. Mullainathan’s research applies machine learning to complex problems in human behavior, social policy, and medicine.

Dr. Dewey Murdick

Dr. Dewey Murdick, executive director of the Center for Security and Emerging Technology (CSET) at Georgetown University. Murdick specializes in technology foresight, AI policy, and data science, with a focus on how emerging technologies reshape labor markets and societal structures.

Dr. Andrew Rabinovich

Dr. Andrew Rabinovich, vice president of artificial intelligence and machine learning at Upwork. Rabinovich leads Upwork’s AI transformation strategy, drawing on over two decades of expertise in machine learning and computer vision. Rabinovich’s research primarily focuses on computer vision, multimodal learning, and structured deep learning architectures.

Dr. Melissa Valentine

Dr. Melissa Valentine, associate professor of management science and engineering at Stanford University and co-director of the Center for Work, Technology, and Organization. Valentine’s research examines how AI and algorithmic systems transform collaboration, organizational design, and workforce structures.