Human skills that will be increasingly important in the age of artificial intelligence

Mercer's 2025 Asia pulse check revealed that only 1 in 3 uses generative artificial intelligence in their organizations. With the AI hype on social media these days, I was honestly surprised by the low usage.

Since last year, I've been using a variety of Gen AI tools at work. Mainly to make my longwinded messages more clear and concise. Or to brainstorm some ideas for coming events. To summarize an online article or video into its key points. Remove backgrounds from photos for presentation decks.

I would say that they have been a very handy assistant to me, especially when I'm usually the one assisting Executives, managers and employees in the workplace. But as AI becomes more integrated into my work, I find myself asking more often "What does this mean for me?" in an uncertain economy with layoffs happening in many industries? More so with my loud online advocacy and unseen disabilities?

I sensed a glimmer of hope when I chanced upon Human Skills in the Age of AI. It is one of the unlocked courses by Microsoft and LinkedIn, free through 2025. While machines are getting faster at handling data and tasks, there are still deeply human qualities they cannot fully replace.

The more I read and reflect on what makes us uniquely human, the more I see certain skills that will likely matter even more in the years ahead.

Adapting with intention

“The only constant in life is change,” a quote often credited to the Greek philosopher Heraclitus, still holds true today. One of our most important human strengths is the ability to adapt and keep moving forward, even as circumstances shift.

Adaptability isn't the same as being a rubber band. Flexibility means you stretch for a while, then return to your usual shape. Adaptability, on the other hand, involves making thoughtful changes in response to your environment. It's more like a tree branch that slowly curves around a lamppost rather than snapping under pressure.

Adaptable people don’t wait passively for the perfect condition to act. Adaptability requires a sense of agency, recognizing that you have the power to make choices, even in uncertain moments. That includes how you think about your situation right now. It’s a bit like driving at night. You may not see the whole road ahead, but you can see just far enough to make your next move, whether that means staying the course or adjusting as needed.

Over time, this mindset builds resilience. The more we practice adapting with intention (making small, considered adjustments rather than forced compromises), the more we learn to trust our ability to respond. Not perfectly, but capably. Change doesn’t feel quite as threatening when we know we have tools to meet it. And often, it's in those small pivots that we discover what really matters to us.

Learning beyond the obvious

As soon as we turn on our phones, we’re met with a flood of headlines and notifications. These days, there’s growing awareness around reducing fear of missing out and managing dopamine-driven habits by using social media more mindfully. For me, that meant stepping away. I made a conscious decision to close most of my social media accounts so I could reconnect with something I’d been missing for a while: my genuine curiosity.

Earlier this year, I’d been struggling with brain fog and anhedonia. In February, I heard someone share how her doctor encouraged her to try new, random activities to support neuroplasticity. Out of curiosity, I gave it a try. I started reading more widely, beyond my usual interests, even into areas I’d never paid attention to... like watching political debates during the recent General Election in Singapore or learning about Scrum sprints, even though I’m not in software development. To support my memory, I jotted notes in Obsidian and reviewed them from time to time.

There was no clear purpose behind it, no immediate reward. But the more I followed what caught my attention, the more I found myself asking questions again. Curiosity nudged me past surface-level information and into deeper understanding. It helped me connect ideas in new ways, like when I noticed how the latticework of mental models described by Charlie Munger resembled the way I link notes in Obsidian. New ideas began to surface not because I was trying to be innovative, but because I gave myself space to explore. Curiosity often lays the groundwork for creative thinking by encouraging us to question, experiment, and see things differently.

As more knowledge-based tasks become automated, the value of human insight grows. It’s no longer just about what we know, but how we use what we know. Curiosity leads us there. It keeps us learning, not for the sake of ticking boxes, but to understand, to create, and to adapt in thoughtful ways. In that sense, wisdom becomes a quiet but essential skill, and curiosity is what keeps it alive.

Connecting with people

One of the most human things we do is relate to others. Whether it’s co-creating something as a team or simply trying to understand another person’s perspective, the ability to work well with people is becoming even more valuable as more tasks are automated. Maybe you're like me, feeling a small sense of relief when you finally reach a human voice on a tech support hotline.

Communication plays a big part in this. It's not just about speaking clearly or writing well, but about being understood, and understanding others. That includes listening with care and making space for different voices to be heard. As someone who’s autistic and sometimes struggles with social communication, this doesn’t always come easily. I may need more time to process things or find the right words. But I’ve learned that communication isn’t about being flawless. It’s about showing up with the intention to connect, and being patient with others and with myself.

Working with others also calls for emotional awareness. Understanding our own emotions and being sensitive to how others might be feeling helps us respond with more compassion. Emotional intelligence doesn’t mean avoiding discomfort. It means having the tools to stay present, even when things feel messy or unclear. For me, this often looks like noticing when I feel overwhelmed, giving myself permission to step back, and returning to the conversation when I’m ready. When my need for meaningful connection is met, I feel less lonely, less unseen and unheard.

Sometimes it takes courage to ask for support, to name what isn’t working, or to offer kindness when someone else is having a hard time. I don’t know how far technology will go, but I doubt machines will ever truly care about human welfare the way we do. When people feel seen and safe, collaboration becomes more than just working together. It becomes a way of being in community. A sense of belonging offers more than comfort. It brings security, attention, and support, grounded in acceptance and shared identity. And in that space, everyone has something meaningful to offer.

Staying human

These human skills — adapting with intention, learning beyond the obvious, and connecting with others — might not come with fancy certifications or instant feedback. But they matter. Especially in times of uncertainty and change, they remind us of what we bring to the table beyond our résumés.

AI may be a powerful assistant, but it doesn’t replace the value of lived experience, thoughtful attention, and genuine care.