As hybrid and remote work models continue to evolve, organisations are increasingly relying on digital collaboration tools to streamline communication, enhance project management, and foster seamless teamwork across locations.
From real-time messaging and video conferencing to task automation and document sharing, these tools empower teams to work smarter and more efficiently. But with a vast array of options available, choosing the right platform can be daunting.
With our latest Round Table subject, “Workplace Collaboration Tools”, we spoke with experts and executives from Jabra and Owl Labs about the emerging trends and technologies shaping workplace collab tools, how AI is impacting collaboration platforms, the key challenges collaboration tools need to address to better support hybrid or remote work models, and the importance of user experience in driving adoption of collaboration tools.
What emerging trends or technologies are currently shaping the development of workplace collaboration tools?
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Nigel Dunn[/caption]
Nigel Dunn, MD and VP at Jabra
Dunn highlighted Jabra's research, which noted that 80 percent of decision-makers are willing to delegate or collaborate on tasks with AI, resulting in a growing use of generative AI to enhance workplace productivity.
"This use of AI as a virtual colleague is set to grow in 2025 as tools continue to streamline and automate workflows, enabling organisations to operate with maximum efficiency," Dunn said.
"Microsoft Copilot, for instance, is already proving to be an invaluable assistant for virtual meetings, transcribing in real-time, generating detailed summaries, and creating actionable tasks for participants. Jabra expects increased adoption of such assistive tools, as there is a clear appetite for efficiency-boosting technology, with 84 percent of leaders expressing high trust in these advancements."
Frank Weishaupt, CEO of Owl Labs
Weishaupt observes that while hybrid work is far from a new phenomenon, organisations of all sizes have been experimenting with new ways of working in recent years.
"For example, Owl Labs’ State of Hybrid Work report found that 51 percent of UK employees were working in a hybrid model in 2024, which marks a 5 percent increase from 2023 (46 percent)," Weishaupt explained. "This shift has required organisations to rethink their approach to workplace collaboration, ensuring that distributed teams can work together seamlessly."
Equally, Weishaupt highlighted the increase in AI use in the workplace has raised employee expectations regarding workplace collaboration tools. 68 percent of UK workers now use AI to do their jobs, yet nearly one-third (33 percent) of UK businesses are not promoting AI use among their workforce.
"While non-technical staff may not understand all the specifics of how AI works, they understand its potential," Weishaupt said. "Workplace collaboration tools have therefore had to follow suit, integrating AI where relevant to deliver better experiences for all employees, whether working remotely or in office."
How is artificial intelligence transforming collaboration platforms, and where do you see its biggest impact in the next 3-5 years?
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Frank Weishaupt[/caption]
Frank Weishaupt, CEO of Owl Labs
Weishaupt emphasised that the expanding use of AI in everyday work has encouraged collaboration platforms to improve the security and efficacy of their systems.
"This means obtaining the appropriate certifications for any AI-enabled software or hardware, as well as ensuring that such tools provide enterprise-ready capabilities to deliver maximum results," he outlined.
