Gen Alpha to Use Voice Notes Over Emails at Work

The traditional practice of composing emails for workplace communication is predicted to become obsolete for the upcoming generation of workers, Generation Alpha, with voice notes and spoken commands set to replace typing. This shift is driven by advancements in artificial intelligence and audiovisual technology, according to a study conducted by the London School of Economics (LSE) in collaboration with Jabra, a company specializing in audiovisual technology. The research forecasts that by 2028, voice AI will emerge as the predominant method for professional interaction and task management.

Paul Sephton, Global Head of Brand Communications at Jabra, stated that by the time Generation Alpha enters the workforce, AI will be fully integrated into daily operations, fundamentally altering how work is produced. He explained that the initial creation of work will be spoken, with typing reserved for refinement and editing. Sephton elaborated on this future workflow, suggesting that individuals will "talk to write, then type to refine," and will "direct work, not just draft it." He characterized typing as becoming an editing function rather than a primary thinking tool, asserting that "The first draft of the future is spoken."

The report, published in 2025, emphasizes the immediacy of this transition, cautioning that this is not a distant prospect but rather the "next generation of how we will interact with Generative AI." The study highlights that this voice-powered interaction is arriving sooner than anticipated. Generation Alpha, born from 2010 onwards, will see its oldest members entering the professional world around 2030, potentially never experiencing a pre-voice technology office environment. This evolution in communication is expected to offer significant benefits not only to this new cohort but also to existing workers.

Sephton further elaborated on the underlying reasons for this predicted shift, noting that speaking naturally replaces typing because it aligns with the human cognitive process, which is "fast, iterative, conversational." The inherent advantages of speaking, including essentiality, convenience, and efficiency, are expected to drive its adoption. For both current and future employees, this transition promises to foster a more creative work environment by streamlining the initial stages of idea generation and task delegation. The study posits that this move towards voice technology is a natural progression in human-computer interaction, driven by the desire for more intuitive and rapid communication methods in the workplace.