Human Skills in an AI Age
(HSIAAA if you prefer helpful acronyms)
Emotional Intelligence Differs from Artificial Intelligence
I drafted this post in my graph paper notebook. Putting pen to paper helps my thoughts flow more smoothly and faster. Well, not faster overall. I then have to type it. Revise with this writing tool designed to point out opportunities for you to improve your own writing. Use my brain to edit. Wrestle with verbs like "wrestle." And then…I may review with Gemini or Copilot for organizational suggestions after I have my thoughts together.
Like many of you, as AI barges its way into our lives, I’m experimenting with how to use the technology, without losing myself. The more I do, the more I notice: our human skills are becoming more important than ever.
The Tip of the A-Iceberg
According to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs report, 86% of employers expect AI and information-processing technologies to transform their business by 2030, while 39% of workers’ existing skill sets are expected to change or become outdated.
AI is changing not only our work, but also, for many, our lives: brainstorming, recipes, writing, assistants, advice, companionship, and more. I’m not touching the topic of education here because it’s a doozy. And I’m likely only capable of listing the tip of the A-Iceberg of impacts because my own use has been limited thus far.
Adults, especially those under 50, engage with AI on a more personal level:
Research from Elon University found that 27% of Americans use AI chatbots for personal, emotional or social queries, including entertainment, relationship advice, romantic conversations or connection when they are alone. Almost 40% of adults under 50 reported using AI in those ways.
Increasingly, people are seeking social connections.
More broadly, experts have written on the topic of AI risks and impact. Here are some I’ve found helpful:
Reading about the extraordinary positive potential and incomprehensible risks, I struggle to hold these truths at the same time:
AI poses an existential threat to humanity. And, I still need to figure out what’s for dinner tonight.
When things feel overwhelming, I focus on what’s within my control:
Voting during the midterms!
Upping my human skills, including but not limited to: adaptability, curiosity, critical thinking, compassion, fostering belonging, and choosing joy.
Four Focus Areas for the Humans Reading This
With so much uncertainty about our future, one of the most powerful things we can do is strengthen the skills that make us human. Here are four worth focusing on.
Emotional Intelligence (EQ)
Emotional intelligence is the human differentiator. According to HBR, while emotional intelligence doesn’t come naturally to everyone, it can be intentionally developed through self-awareness, empathy, and reflection—something AI can't do.
For team leaders especially, there are skills you can’t script your way out of: listening empathetically, building trust, and navigating conflict.
EQ is more than a “soft skill.” It’s imperative.
Adaptability
If technology is changing faster than we are, how do we keep up? Adaptability means staying curious, experimenting, and adjusting your approach as the landscape shifts.
Adaptability encourages curiosity around changing tides, but it may also mean knowing when to stay the current course. That brings us to discernment.
Analytics and Discernment
Your wisdom and lived experiences mean more than ever. AI can generate large quantities of ideas, but you will need to be the adult in the (chat) room to decide which ideas are worth pursuing.
The ability to access more data than ever equalizes the playing field. The differentiator will be how you use the data to drive better decisions. Are you asking the right questions?
A University of Maryland team advises:
Question AI-generated outputs rather than accept them automatically
Recognize limitations, bias, and gaps in AI systems
Interpret information within real-world human contexts
Communicate effectively across human and technological environments
Remain accountable for decisions even when AI contributes to them
We need to bring our critical thinking, ethical reasoning, and the old “does this make sense?” test to the analysis before simply trusting an output.
In an abundance of data, discernment rules.
Joy and Belonging
Here’s the fun part. Humans experience joy, love, laughter, and creative pursuits. We also need to feel like we belong - with our families, teams, and communities. These experiences shape our existence and are a core part of being human.
“What makes us human is not our mind but our heart, not our ability to think but our ability to love.” - Henri J.M. Nouwen
I’m not suggesting we bring back the “Live, Laugh, Love” throw pillows, but those sold for a reason. The AI version: “Type, Prompt, Automate” just doesn’t have the same ring.
Conclusion on Human Skills
I’m all in on humans. What a sentence. I view AI as a tool for practical tasks and ideally, for solving some of our biggest humanitarian challenges. But the robots won’t replace what it means to be a human. To me that’s connection, joy, purpose, meaning, belonging, and love. You can’t outsource that. Nor would we want to.
Which human skill do you want to strengthen?
If you’re ready to explore, you can set up a discovery call here.
The human skill AI can’t replace is non-verbal communication. Making eye contact across the room with a friend and instantly laughing with each other because of a shared experience and connection that only comes from “being seen and known” by another person. As the laughter subsides (or increases) and the friends embrace in the middle of the room, AI is left guessing what happened. Sometimes the best prompts don’t require words or typing.