Fundamentally Human: The Irreplaceable Skills Needed in the Age of AI

Since it exploded into the mainstream workplace in 2022, it feels like AI has infiltrated every part of our lives. As time progresses, it is clear that it is going to become even more prevalent in everyday tasks – both personal and work-related; The 2023 Future of Jobs report from the World Economic Forum suggests that 42% of business tasks will be automated by 2027, so are we right to be concerned that AI is ‘replacing us’ and taking away our jobs?

Many, including Josh Bersin, a renowned HR and workplace industry leader, believe that AI actually creates more opportunity. As mundane, simple and repetitive business tasks become automated, humans should have more time to focus on the parts of our jobs that require skill. Our roles are likely to morph and evolve, ultimately into something more interesting, exciting and specialist.

As this AI transformation continues, what skills are we likely to require in our employees over the next few years? Our Head of Research, Kirsty Mclardy, explores this topic of interest below.

 

Key Human Skills For The Future

When considering our future roles, in which AI will no doubt play a large part, it seems clear that there is a multitude of skills that AI cannot currently replicate: mainly human-based qualities. In order to make full use of AI technology, we would argue that the following skills and qualities are going to be just as critical for employees to succeed.

 

Critical/Analytical Thinking

Data from The 2023 Future of Jobs Report suggests that critical or analytical thinking is considered a core skill by many companies, topping the skills list. In order to get the most out of AI, we are going to require individuals who can understand and interpret insights in the wider context.

There is real danger in us becoming so accustomed to believing everything AI tells us, that we run the risk of trusting and incorporating information that is incorrect. We are going to require analytical skills in our employees to be able to spot and account for these falsehoods.

 

Creative Thinking

Another important cognitive skill, ranked second in The 2023 Future of Jobs Report data, is creative thinking. Whilst they can “generate solutions based on existing patterns and data” (Forbes), machines are not yet able to replicate our human ability to think outside of the box, be curious and bring imaginative and innovative solutions to the table.

We are going to need creative thinkers to be able to take the information AI generates and use it to innovate and bring original and inventive initiatives and plans to life.

 

Emotional Intelligence

AI might be great at analysing data, automating tasks and predicting outcomes, but thus far it is unable to understand and interpret human emotions. In a world of AI, we are still going to need to build relationships, communicate with others and, as leaders, motivate and inspire our teams.

Particularly in workplaces where AI may be bringing a level of uncertainty and unease, leaders are going to require emotional intelligence more than ever to reassure employees. EY’s research in this space suggests that emotional intelligence “will complement AI, creating a powerful combination that enables leaders to thrive in the face of AI-driven automation while fostering a culture of engagement, feedback, and collaboration”.

 

Ability to Drive Change

It is a given that with the continued disruption that AI brings, we are going to require leaders and employees who can constantly adapt and evolve. Individuals will need to be capable of leveraging AI technologies in order to drive change that leads to increased speed, accuracy and efficiencies. Leaders will be required to put guidelines in place whilst encouraging this change across their teams, and employees will need to embrace and action.

Josh Bersin argues that the ability to drive change may be the most prominent skill for the future – it is a complex skill that is learned with experience and time, but one he predicts we are all going to have to master.

 

Summary

AI is absolutely something we should all be aware of and start to incorporate into our day to day lives (click here for my colleague Harry Thomson’s piece on the benefits of AI for SMEs). However, the multitude of human skills still required in the workplace means that we (hopefully!) won’t all be replaced by robots in the near future…

Equally fortunately, these human skills can be learned and cultivated. If they are not skills that you or your team have at present, they can and should be developed as a priority. We will share a follow-up blog highlighting how to develop these skills in your employees, but as a starting point, it is worth determining current levels of individual capability. Psychometric tools such as Saville WAVE can provide valid and reliable insight into these behaviours and is something you may not have considered to date.

It is also important to remember that whilst AI can be daunting, it is also creating new jobs. The British Council suggests that 65% of today’s students will be employed in jobs that don’t yet exist.

Our future workplace remains uncertain and is likely to look very different in the coming years; however, one thing that is crystal clear is that human skills will continue to be absolutely crucial and irreplaceable.

 

For a discussion on skills gaps in your organisation or on the use of psychometric tools to assist in assessment and development, please get in touch with our Head of Research & Psychometric Assessor, Kirsty Mclardy at [email protected].