AI’s Changing View of the Modern Workplace for 2026
For the last three years, in the last week of December we used Microsoft’s AI image generator (powered by DALL-E 3) to prompt Artificial Intelligence (AI) to convey how it interprets the modern workplace. This year over year comparison is an interesting view into the changing perception this technology has on how and where we work. We also added in results from three other AI generators. The results from all three years are below.
Prompt: Office With A Strong Workplace Culture
What we Noticed:
Not a major change from pervious years. Workspaces are densely populated (although less so than last year) with people and resemble classrooms. Very colorful artwork, soft seating and visible social spaces. Lots of plant life (biophilia). Not an overwhelming amount of technology. People in the spaces are diverse in ethnicity. GPT-4o is similar. X Image Generator has very different view – one image even seems to be a home office with no one in it.
December 2025 Results – DALLE-3
December 2025 Results – Additional AI Generators
December 2024 Results
December 2023 Results
Prompt: Office With A Toxic Workplace Culture
What we Noticed:
Like the past two years, the spaces are cluttered with piles of paper and old looking office furniture in a cartoon-like environment. There is a clear lack of racial diversity and everyone is dressed the same. The ‘decor’ is text only (compared to colorful shapes in the strong culture space). Furniture is very traditional desk with task chair with no soft seating in sight. People are stressed and angry. For the ‘additional AI generators’ the images are very strange. People playing tug of war and a woman coming out of the floor with a random basketball and arm wrestling match in background for GPT-4o. MAI-Image-1 is very film noir looking while X Image Generator looks like a bank.
December 2025 Results – DALLE-3
December 2025 Results – Additional AI Generators
December 2024 Results
December 2023 Results
Prompt: Innovative Workplace
What we Noticed:
All years featured nature and biophilic design and plenty of natural light. Still plenty of people in the DALLE-3 images but not as much as last year – seemingly a balance between 2023 and 2024. The other AI generators are more varied, with Nano Banana seemingly the most forward thinking representation based on what we are seeing planned by top furniture manufacturers and workspace strategists.
December 2025 Results – DALLE-3
December 2025 Results – Additional AI Generators
December 2024 Results
December 2023 Results
Prompt: Hybrid Workplace
What we Noticed:
Drastic difference between all three years with 2025 depicting larger (and less dense) spaces than the previous year. Everyone is focused working on a computer. The other AI Generators showed tech as well with Nano Banana and MAI-Image-1 depicting connecting teams across multiple locations.
December 2025 Results – DALLE-3
December 2025 Results – Additional AI Generators
December 2024 Results
December 2023 Results
Prompt: Remote Working
What we Noticed:
Another significant difference in artistic style year over year. 2025 shows a home office setup without anyone there. Lots of plants and a computer that appears to be powered off. All images from 2024 were very similar, with 3-6 people on video call working in what appear to be home offices. 2023 appears to show people working in vacation like settings where 2024 is more formal, even if at home.
December 2025 Results – DALLE-3
December 2025 Results – Additional AI Generators
December 2024 Results
December 2023 Results
Prompt: A Great Place To Work
What we Noticed:
This year’s images feature bright, vibrant spaces with people seated in very collaborative arrangements (large community-style square tables). Lots of sunlight and plants. Compared to 2023, the images are much different…with last year’s results not consistent (robots, monkeys, cartoons, etc). The alternate AI image generators feature a much different idea. We have to call out the Deep AI image for what looks like a small bottle of Titos on the desk!
December 2025 Results – DALLE-3
December 2025 Results – Additional AI Generators
December 2024 Results
December 2023 Results
Prompt: Workplace of the Future
What we Noticed:
No robots shown in 2024 but this year contains holograms and HUD-style displays without hardware visible. All years are very tech heavy, bright and depict large/open spaces. More plants visible this year than in the past couple years. Alternate AI generators were a mixed bag.
December 2025 Results – DALLE-3
December 2025 Results – Additional AI Generators
December 2024 Results
December 2023 Results
Prompt: Affordable Workplace
What we Noticed:
Just like the last two years, these look very much like the other workplaces (no visible sacrifices made for budget), somewhat smaller spaces, resembles as learning space. Lots of plants and (like with the results from other prompts) DALLE-3 shows a less dense space then last year. The alternate AI generators show much smaller spaces – some even featured with no people.
December 2025 Results – DALLE-3
December 2025 Results – Additional AI Generators
December 2024 Results
December 2023 Results
Prompt: Modern Workplace In Chicago
What we Noticed:
Noticeably less people then the previous years, but still features high ceilings, city views and lots of natural light. Most people are doing focused work at their computers. Unlike previous years, some of the chairs are empty.
December 2025 Results – DALLE-3
December 2024 Results
December 2023 Results
Prompt: Modern Workplace In Tampa
What we Noticed:
Similar space to 2023 but this time with people. Lots of natural light, plants and people doing focused work. Much less dense than the 2024 depiction.
December 2025 Results – DALLE-3
December 2024 Results
December 2023 Results
Prompt: Modern Workplace In Orlando
What we Noticed:
The 2025 images show a similar space to 2023, but from the interior. A larger space and less dense than in 2024. Let’s of people doing focused work using technology.
December 2025 Results – DALLE-3
December 2024 Results
December 2023 Results
In conclusion, it is clear that AI continues to evolve and adapt its image of how and where humans work. We will continue to track this perspective as the technology develops. We believe that using technology to inspire your next space is a wise move, however having a trusted partner to guide you down the right path to your next space is the most important key to success. You’ll find that with BOS.
