Remote work is here to stay, but what will it look like in 2025? At Plugged In, Tulsa Remote's inaugural remote work summit, industry experts from across the country shared groundbreaking insights into the future of work.
Taking what we learned from each Plugged In session, here are our top 10 predictions for how remote work will evolve —and why Tulsa is leading the way.
1. Offsites Will Replace Offices
Say goodbye to cubicles and hello to curated offsite retreats. By 2025, more companies will embrace offsites as their primary way of fostering team connection and collaboration. Whether it’s for quarterly planning meetings or annual strategy sessions, the focus will shift from being limited by permanent office spaces to intentional in-person gatherings.
The Future of Work and Community Insights from Tulsa Remote - Raj Choudhury
2. Flexible Schedules Will Outrank Location Flexibility
While remote work has freed us from the 9-to-5 office grind, the future is not just about where—but also about WHEN—you work. Brian Elliott predicts that flexible schedules will become the #1 driver of employee satisfaction, allowing people to work when they’re most productive.
3. Remote Workers Will Create Their Own Opportunities
The job market is changing, and so are remote workers. By 2025, we’ll see more people taking control of their careers by creating their own opportunities—whether it’s starting businesses, leveraging virtual assistant platforms, or using AI tools to streamline their job search. Remote work isn’t just about finding a role; it’s about building one that works for you.
The Four Phases of Finding/Landing Remote Jobs - Libryia Jones
4. Remote Work Will Continue Revitalizing Cities
Cities like Tulsa are proving that remote work isn’t just good for employees—it’s a game-changer for communities. Remote professionals moving to Tulsa have added over $500M to the local economy, and we predict even more cities will follow Tulsa’s lead in attracting talent through innovative programs.
Plugging Into Tulsa: How Remote Work is Shaping Local Economies and Opportunities - Justin Harlan, Garry Clark, and Mike Neal
5. Emotional Connection Will Be Key to Retaining Gen Z Talent
Forget ping-pong tables and trendy perks—by 2025, the most effective way to retain Gen Z talent will be fostering emotional connection. Danielle emphasized that this generation values genuine relationships with their teams and leaders. Companies that prioritize transparency, mentorship, and a sense of belonging will win the battle for young talent.
How to Retain and Maximize Gen Z Talent in a Remote World - Danielle Farage
6. AI Will Become a Core Team Member
Artificial intelligence isn’t just a tool—it’s a teammate. By 2025, more teams will integrate AI to streamline collaboration, boost productivity, and reduce repetitive tasks, making it essential for staying competitive.
6. AI Will Become a Core Team Member
Artificial intelligence isn’t just a tool—it’s a teammate. By 2025, more teams will integrate AI to streamline collaboration, boost productivity, and reduce repetitive tasks, making it essential for staying competitive.
Cracking the Collaboration Code: 5 Research-Backed Strategies to Drive Better Collaboration -
Rebecca Hinds
Rebecca Hinds
7. Remote Work Will Blur the Lines Between Tourism and Economic Development
By 2025, cities will capitalize on remote work to turn short-term visitors into long-term residents. Greg explained how initiatives like Tulsa Remote blend tourism and economic development by creating compelling, purpose-driven experiences for remote workers. Cities that embrace this strategy will attract top talent and build thriving communities.
8. Transparency Will Build Trust in Distributed Teams
In remote work, trust is the currency of collaboration. By 2025, transparency—through communication charters, clear expectations, and shared goals—will be the foundation for successful distributed teams.
In remote work, trust is the currency of collaboration. By 2025, transparency—through communication charters, clear expectations, and shared goals—will be the foundation for successful distributed teams.
9. Collaboration Will Fuel the Next Wave of Innovation
Fostering connections between new and long-term residents will become a cornerstone of innovation by 2025. Kathleen and Raj showcased how initiatives like the Tulsa Idea Challenge used these collaborations to generate impactful, community-focused business ideas. Cities and organizations will adopt similar models to drive creativity and local growth.
10. You’ll Move to Tulsa Through Tulsa Remote
Our boldest prediction yet! 😉 As remote work continues to evolve, there’s no better place to make the most of it than Tulsa. With a vibrant community of remote professionals and plentiful opportunities for connection and growth, we predict you’ll be packing up and making a move to join us soon!
Missed Plugged In or want to revisit your favorite sessions? 🎥 The full session recordings are now live! From game-changing insights on team collaboration to strategies for revitalizing communities, our expert speakers covered it all.
