In the past few years, there has been a massive shift in the discussion around the role of AI workspaces. While the general notion has been that Artificial Intelligence has changed the way we look at the day-to-day functions, the nitty-gritty of the operations and so much more, there is something that has continued to remain unexplored – the need to learn new skills that we are scared will be replaced by the cutting-edge technology and the need of skills that Artificial Intelligence can never replace.
Now, in this day, you might wonder if there is even a skill left that the machines can’t replace. The short answer is YES. The long answer to this needs some understanding. Most of us think we need the skills that the job demands to excel at our work. And we couldn’t be more wrong. In every workplace, there is a concept of “Soft Skills”.
So what is Soft Skill?
It is the skill that makes all the difference. It is a combination of several personality traits that employees use to be a leader or a great team player, for example. Some of the top examples of soft skills include rational thinking, the ability to make decisions, to make an appealing sales pitch, and the approach taken to mentor co-workers, negotiate a contract, or get a certain job done seamlessly. All of these aspects need the “human touch” and experience that a machine does not possess. It is important to understand that the current job market and structure are all about upskilling, working smart instead of working hard and truly making a difference.
Most companies, today, aren’t looking for someone who can learn all the skills that a machine can do. They want their employees and new recruits to do things that the machine can’t – like learn and grow constantly, be a leader, and bring forward the essence of humanity.
In this article, we will talk about the OP skills that AI can never replace:
EQ:
Popularly known as Emotional Intelligence or Emotional Quotient, this is one of the most important qualities a person can possess. While everyone around us lives an extremely fast life, as an individual, leader, or teammate, it is important to showcase Emotional Intelligence. We might not always understand what the other person might be going through, but it is absolutely incorrect to disregard their emotions. Machines can not be aware of, comprehend, control, or express their emotions. And that is where we humans, have an upper hand. No matter how much we train machines towards emotional intelligence, ultimately, it is fed into the machine and not something real. Digital use to an insane extent has led to reduced empathy and it is solely because we no longer talk face-to-face as much as we used it; it is all in emojis. And this is exactly why, when hiring, organizations look for candidates with high EQ. Machines can not build connections and that is where we have an edge over AI.
Creativity:
Just like any other field, people working in creative fields are also scared that AI will replace them at their jobs. And this is a long ongoing debate. But creativity is not just about the creative fields. It is an approach that we are talking about – of doing this creativity or making a creative decision, keeping various other aspects in mind. This is something that machines or AI can never fathom. No matter how many machines work towards fulfilling a creative job, this is not something they can do, Having said that, we are in no position to neglect the role technology can play in enhancing creativity. If we work towards creative approaches or creative jobs, using technology to improve the turnaround time or reap other benefits, using technology will always work in our favor.
Critical Thinking:
There is a pool of information readily available at our disposal. No matter what we look for, abundant resources are available. And with the advent of AI, it has become all the more difficult to segregate between the information we should consider using and the ones we should disregard. This is where clear and critical thinking comes into play. In a world full of lies, fake news, and deceit, companies will always value employees who can differentiate the right from the fake. Critical thinking doesn’t mean being negative. It simply means that an employee is able to scan through the available information to pick up what is necessary and right, and find credibility. The job of a critical thinker isn’t limited to gathering information, it is to deduce facts. Critical thinkers can also solve complex business problems easily and that is why companies seek experts like them.
Decision Making:
No matter at what level an employee is in, decision-making comes with almost every role. Even making the smallest decision at the workplace needs an employee to be mindful of several factors that might have an impact on the decision made. While machines do have the ability to analyze data at a flash speed, the decision of what needs to be done with the piece of information lies with the human mind. Often it is not just about the decision to use a piece of information in the right way, the level and depth in which the ability to make decisions percolate go much beyond. For example, during a time when the world is going through massive downsizing, leaders have to make tough decisions about who to retain and who to let go. This is just one of the examples of the decisions that a machine can not make. The success and failure of a business lie in the kind of decisions that are made on a daily basis. If we were to rely on inputs from AI, it would be unlikely that businesses have the needed human touch.
Interpersonal Skills:
Communication plays a key skill when working with a varied team. While working with people who come from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and societal strata, it is important to possess good communication skills. Being connected with your peers, understanding them, and being empathetic and compassionate towards them lies at the core of a good team. To maintain harmony, it is also important to always have clear communication. And this is possible when team members have good interpersonal skills. While machines are getting better at speaking and listening, their capabilities are limited. Interpersonal skills are also not limited to just communication; they include active listening, positive body language, respect, understanding digital communication, being open-minded, and giving positive feedback. Possessing interpersonal skills has become important when you appear for your job interview.
Ethical Awareness:
Ethics is one of the core values that an employee must possess. As the world entered into digital transformation and industrial revolution, there are many ethical dilemmas. Every organization has its own set of ethical dilemmas to take care of. Taking care of the management on ethical grounds is not something that the machines can’t handle. It is upon the employees to address ethical issues. However, in such cases, artificial intelligence can be used to address these ethical issues.
Leadership Skills:
Growth is the only constant even when it comes to corporate experience. Also, strong leadership skills aren’t something that only top leaders need. If you are someone who is ambitious and wants constant growth, you must possess strong leadership skills. While the world was dealing with the deadly pandemic, the way workplaces operated also changed significantly. With hybrid and remote work settings and people dealing with tough times, the need for an empathetic leader is more than ever. A leader’s job is always to bring out the best in the individuals. And that is something machines can’t do.
Skills are something that can always be learned. We shouldn’t limit ourselves because of the advent of machines and artificial intelligence. What makes us more human is our ability to be empathetic and humane and that comes when we train ourselves to do better for others. While using AI for growth is a great idea, it might be challenging to take AI as the end of everything. Keep learning and growing.
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