How can employers in all sectors of the UK economy get the best out of their workers, retain experienced staff, improve productivity and increase profits at the same time? The principles of "Job Design" seem to promise all of these benefits. It's a process of work innovation which focuses on people, their skills, their knowledge and how they interact with each other and technology, in every workplace, in every sector of the economy.Proponents claim it gives workers a voice in their workplace, allows them to balance their work and home lives, stops burnout and could get more of the economically inactive back in employment. But what evidence is there that it works - and how difficult would it be to implement changes in the workplace?Presenter: Pauline Mason Producer: Ravi Naik Editor: Clare FordhamContributors: Patricia Findlay, Professor of Work and Employment Relations, University of Strathclyde and Director of the Scottish Centre for Employment Research. Kate Bennett, Labour ward coordinator at Liverpool Women's Hospital. Damian Grimshaw, Professor of Employment Studies, King's College London, and former head of research at the International Labour Organisation. Dame Diane Coyle, Bennett Professor, University of Cambridge and a director of the Productivity Institute. Rachel London, Deputy Chief People Officer at Liverpool Women's Hospital. Jenna Brimble. Midwife in the continuity of care team at Liverpool Women's Hospital. Heejung Chung, Professor of Sociology and Social Policy, University of Kent. Emma Stewart, Flexible working consultant and co-founder, Timewise. Dr Charlotte Gascoine independent researcher and consultant on flexible and part-time working Paul Dennett, Mayor of the City of Salford Jim Liptrot, Managing director, Howorth Air Tech. Stacey Bridge, Financial accounting assistant, Howorth Air Tech.

In this engaging discussion, Diane Coyle, a prominent Economist and Professor at the University of Cambridge, dives into the transformative potential of AI on productivity in the UK. She highlights the need for local talent and regulatory frameworks to harness AI's benefits fully. Coyle also critiques traditional metrics like GDP, advocating for a shift towards more inclusive measures. The conversation touches on AI’s dual nature, its risks and rewards, and the challenges faced by businesses in adapting to this rapidly evolving landscape.

Diane Coyle, an economist and author of "Cogs and Monsters," questions traditional economic models that see individuals as mere cogs. Instead, she argues we're more like monsters, influenced by social media. Coyle emphasizes the need for diverse methodologies in economics and discusses the limitations of standard forecasting methods. She explores the ethical dimensions of policy-making, the value of culture beyond monetary terms, and advocates for a deeper understanding of community well-being, urging a rethink on GDP as a measure of progress.

In this podcast, they discuss the impact of generative AI on the workforce and the concerns surrounding it. They also explore the art of thatching roofs in Devon and the experiences of individuals with big noses. Additionally, they delve into intentional communities and the dynamics of living with others.

Diane Coyle, Bennett Professor of Public Policy at the University of Cambridge, delves into the economic implications of AI on productivity and jobs. She argues that significant AI-driven advancements may take a decade to manifest. The conversation touches on the complexities of AI integration in healthcare, regulatory needs for fair competition, and the limitations of traditional economic measures like GDP. Coyle emphasizes a future where AI could minimize mundane tasks, enhancing job satisfaction and personal enjoyment.