Why People Skills Are Still Important In The Age Of AI

President of Improving, a technology management and consulting services firm rooted in a commitment to trust and Conscious Capitalism.

In the age of artificial intelligence (AI), it’s easy to think that people skills are becoming less important. After all, AI can already do many tasks that were once thought to require human intelligence, such as customer service, data analysis and even writing.

However, while AI is certainly capable of performing many tasks, it still lacks the ability to understand and respond to human emotions, build relationships and solve problems creatively. This is where people skills come in.

People skills are the personal attributes that enable us to interact effectively with others, such as communication, collaboration, critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity, leadership, teamwork, adaptability, resilience and emotional intelligence. These skills are essential for success in the workplace, even in the age of AI. People skills (sometimes called soft skills) are defined as “non-technical skills that relate to how you work” and include time management, creative thinking, networking, teamwork and conflict resolution.

Here are some reasons why people skills are still important in the age of AI:

AI can’t replace human creativity and problem-solving.

AI is great at following instructions and completing tasks, but it’s not as good at coming up with new ideas or solving problems creatively. This is where human creativity and problem-solving skills come in. And while some say that this aspect is coming in the next-generation systems, I feel that true creativity is still a ways off.

AI can’t understand and respond to human emotions.

AI can’t understand and respond to human emotions in the same way that humans can. This is why humans need to have strong communication and emotional intelligence skills to work effectively with AI. These emotions are communicated even without the non-verbal cues we get with visual-based communication.

AI can’t build relationships.

AI can’t build relationships in the same way that humans can. This is why humans need to have strong teamwork and leadership skills to lead and collaborate with AI. True connection will never be transactional but AI is.

You can work to hone your people skills.

There are several ways that you can work to further develop your people skills. Depending on where you feel you might have the most growth potential, you can focus in on one or two of these to help you grow.

1. Participate in group activities and networking. Getting out and meeting people can feel uncomfortable and is a stretch for many, as we aren’t always sure what to talk about. But hearing others’ perspectives and learning social cues helps to grow your awareness of others and makes you a better teammate.

2. Practice active listening. If you haven’t heard of active listening, it’s communication that goes beyond just hearing what’s being said. You’re listening with the whole of yourself and engaged in the conversation.

3. Read books. I know it sounds counter-intuitive to say that reading could help you, but more knowledge actually helps. You expand your understanding and grow the number of things that you can converse on when interacting with others. Additionally, it can provide topics for you to share when you’re in those group settings.

4. Practice mindfulness. When you’re calmer and more at peace with yourself, you can show up better to those around you. The positive energy you give off is attractive when you’re in a group setting.

5. Have a growth mindset. Realize you don’t know everything and that you have room to grow. And that’s okay. When you explore and embrace your curiosity, you allow room for others to share what they know.

Developing your people skills is an investment in your future. It can help you become more successful in your career and a more valuable asset to your company. With the rise of AI, it’s becoming increasingly apparent to me that while AI can excel in executing tasks, it falls short of understanding the intricacies of human interaction. People skills, which encompass a wide array of personal attributes, remain essential. Despite the advancements in AI, it cannot replicate human creativity, empathize with emotions or foster genuine relationships. Therefore, it’s still crucial to hone communication, emotional intelligence, teamwork and leadership skills. There are various activities that we can undertake to maintain a growth mindset, which is a pivotal step toward personal and professional growth. Investing in people skills can not only enhance individual success but also make you an invaluable asset to any organization in this evolving landscape of work.

Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders. Do I qualify?