Top three skills experts highlight for the AI era

November 20, 2025 12:00 AM
By: Sead Dedovic

As technology increasingly takes over routine tasks, experts say human skills like creativity, problem-solving, and emotional intelligence are becoming increasingly valuable. Human connection and collaboration are gaining importance, even in technically demanding fields like engineering.

Big language models can generate suggestions, but it’s humans who have to recognize the real problem, set clear instructions, and choose the best course of action. Michael Housman, founder of AI-ccelerator, says candidates need to develop skills that “complement what machines are good at.” Cisco’s Guy Diedrich adds, “Asking the right questions about what needs to be done will be the most important skill that humans can develop.”

Emotional intelligence and self-awareness are becoming key factors in success. Alex King, founder of ExpandIQ, argues: “People who have these soft skills around self-awareness and emotional intelligence are going to be very successful in the future, because that’s clearly something that AI can’t do.” IBM’s Ruchir Puri notes: “The advice I would give is to always be empathetic. Put yourself in someone else’s shoes and try to understand why they’re reacting the way they are. It’s not just what you say, it’s how you say it.”

Creativity and innovative thinking are also gaining importance as AI takes over routine tasks. Cisco’s Jeetu Patel emphasizes that as the product launch process accelerates, “the only limit will be your imagination.” Terri Horton, an AI strategy consultant, asks: “If we replace, say, 30% of the tasks associated with a role with AI, what else can you do? How can you use your creativity to help redesign that role?”

In short, experts advise focusing on a combination of technical knowledge and soft skills, because it is this combination that is key to success in the coming era of AI.

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