What is the ‘Winning Office’ Executives Should Choose in the AI Era? (1/3)

In recent years, “Work Style Reform” and “AI Utilization” have been accelerating globally. The advent of Generative AI, in particular, is fundamentally overturning our traditional definitions of “work.” Historically, the office was a factory for gathering information, creating documents, and managing data. However, as AI takes over routine tasks and data processing, we must ask: What is the true value of bringing people together in a physical space?

For business leaders steering companies in Vietnam, the upcoming challenges of a shrinking workforce and shifting labor attitudes are becoming increasingly palpable. With a projected decline in the working-age population, improving labor productivity through AI is no longer optional—it is a core management challenge. In the AI era, the office is evolving from a “low-cost box” into a “strategic investment” that directly dictates a company’s competitive edge.

This three-part series explores the future of office design from the perspective of coexisting with AI.

Paradoxically, as AI becomes more prevalent and remote work more feasible, the value of a compelling “Physical Office” increases. In an era where you can work from anywhere, companies must provide an office where people want to go.

Particularly in a high-turnover market like Vietnam, a superior office environment serves as a powerful magnet for attracting and retaining top talent. Strategic investments in the “Five Senses”—ergonomic chairs, optimized lighting, air purification, curated background music, refresh spaces, scents, premium coffee, and spaces for personal connection—will make employees feel, “I want to work here.” These office resources are becoming essential assets for surviving and winning in the AI era.