15 answers
Annabelle
Student
Williamsburg, Virginia
2
Questions
Asked
2221 views
What skills can aspiring business professionals develop now rather than later so that our jobs cannot be replaced by AI?
In an age of growing technology, AI has threatened many career paths, including my own in business. I know that the key to overcoming AI in our careers is to develop skills that are irreplaceable by AI, skills that can only be done by humans, but I have a difficult time discovering what these are. What are some skills in business that cannot be replaced by AI? How can I acquire these skills to protect my career? Specifically asking business professionals and technology professionals.
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15 answers
Martha Beaugard
Hardware/ Management
14
Answers
Walnut, Iowa
Updated
Martha’s Answer
I completely understand your concerns about AI's impact on career paths. It's a common worry, but there are definitely skills that AI can't replicate, especially in business. Here are some key areas where human skills shine brightly:
1. Emotional Intelligence (EQ)
Why it's important: AI can crunch numbers and predict outcomes, but it can't truly connect with human emotions. Emotional intelligence involves empathy, self-awareness, and interpersonal skills, which are crucial for leadership, teamwork, and customer relations.
How to build it: Practice active listening, seek feedback, and engage in activities that require collaboration and empathy. Consider taking courses or workshops on emotional intelligence.
2. Creative Thinking
Why it's important: AI can come up with ideas from existing data, but it can't think outside the box or innovate like humans can. Creativity is essential for problem-solving, marketing, and strategic planning.
How to build it: Dive into brainstorming sessions, explore different perspectives, and challenge yourself with creative exercises. Reading widely and experiencing new things can also boost creativity.
3. Complex Problem-Solving
Why it's important: While AI can handle straightforward problems, it struggles with complex issues that need a human touch and judgment. This skill is vital for strategic decision-making and handling uncertainty.
How to build it: Develop critical thinking skills through puzzles, case studies, and real-world problem-solving scenarios. Keep learning and stay updated with industry trends.
4. Leadership and Management
Why it's important: Effective leadership means inspiring and motivating teams, managing conflicts, and making strategic decisions. AI lacks the ability to lead with vision and empathy.
How to build it: Gain experience in leadership roles, seek mentorship, and study leadership theories and practices. Leadership development programs can be very helpful.
5. Negotiation and Persuasion
Why it's important: Negotiation requires understanding human motivations, building relationships, and persuading others—things AI can't do.
How to build it: Practice negotiation techniques, study successful negotiators, and engage in role-playing exercises. Courses on negotiation and communication can also be helpful.
6. Ethical Judgment and Decision-Making
Why it's important: AI can follow programmed ethical guidelines, but it can't make nuanced ethical decisions in complex situations. Human judgment is essential for maintaining integrity and trust.
How to build it: Study ethics, engage in discussions about ethical dilemmas, and reflect on your values and principles. Real-world experience and mentorship can also enhance ethical decision-making.
7. Cultural Competence
Why it's important: Understanding and navigating cultural differences is crucial in global business environments. AI can't fully grasp cultural nuances or build genuine relationships.
How to build it: Travel, learn new languages, and immerse yourself in different cultures. Participate in diversity and inclusion training and seek out multicultural experiences.
By focusing on these skills, you can enhance your career resilience and stay ahead in the evolving business landscape. Remember, continuous learning and adaptability are key to thriving in any field.
8. Another exciting path could be in hardware-related fields. I personally worked as a hardware engineer for 17 years before moving into management. Now, I manage a team of deployment technicians who install hardware. If there's any specific area you're curious about, feel free to ask!
1. Emotional Intelligence (EQ)
Why it's important: AI can crunch numbers and predict outcomes, but it can't truly connect with human emotions. Emotional intelligence involves empathy, self-awareness, and interpersonal skills, which are crucial for leadership, teamwork, and customer relations.
How to build it: Practice active listening, seek feedback, and engage in activities that require collaboration and empathy. Consider taking courses or workshops on emotional intelligence.
2. Creative Thinking
Why it's important: AI can come up with ideas from existing data, but it can't think outside the box or innovate like humans can. Creativity is essential for problem-solving, marketing, and strategic planning.
How to build it: Dive into brainstorming sessions, explore different perspectives, and challenge yourself with creative exercises. Reading widely and experiencing new things can also boost creativity.
3. Complex Problem-Solving
Why it's important: While AI can handle straightforward problems, it struggles with complex issues that need a human touch and judgment. This skill is vital for strategic decision-making and handling uncertainty.
How to build it: Develop critical thinking skills through puzzles, case studies, and real-world problem-solving scenarios. Keep learning and stay updated with industry trends.
4. Leadership and Management
Why it's important: Effective leadership means inspiring and motivating teams, managing conflicts, and making strategic decisions. AI lacks the ability to lead with vision and empathy.
How to build it: Gain experience in leadership roles, seek mentorship, and study leadership theories and practices. Leadership development programs can be very helpful.
5. Negotiation and Persuasion
Why it's important: Negotiation requires understanding human motivations, building relationships, and persuading others—things AI can't do.
How to build it: Practice negotiation techniques, study successful negotiators, and engage in role-playing exercises. Courses on negotiation and communication can also be helpful.
6. Ethical Judgment and Decision-Making
Why it's important: AI can follow programmed ethical guidelines, but it can't make nuanced ethical decisions in complex situations. Human judgment is essential for maintaining integrity and trust.
How to build it: Study ethics, engage in discussions about ethical dilemmas, and reflect on your values and principles. Real-world experience and mentorship can also enhance ethical decision-making.
7. Cultural Competence
Why it's important: Understanding and navigating cultural differences is crucial in global business environments. AI can't fully grasp cultural nuances or build genuine relationships.
How to build it: Travel, learn new languages, and immerse yourself in different cultures. Participate in diversity and inclusion training and seek out multicultural experiences.
By focusing on these skills, you can enhance your career resilience and stay ahead in the evolving business landscape. Remember, continuous learning and adaptability are key to thriving in any field.
8. Another exciting path could be in hardware-related fields. I personally worked as a hardware engineer for 17 years before moving into management. Now, I manage a team of deployment technicians who install hardware. If there's any specific area you're curious about, feel free to ask!
kara Mandeville
Sales Manager
1
Answer
Austin, Texas
Updated
kara’s Answer
Some of the key skills that are needed in the Era of AI are the truly Human skills. Ingenuity and communications skills are two examples. AI will be able to take on many tasks that will supplement and automate routine tasks, but innovation in my mind will still continue to be very human. I would also embrace learning about AI and embracing the concepts of Agents and how to leverage them to make yourself more efficient. I do think that individuals that become excellent at leveraging AI will outpace those employees who are not leveraging it.
Consider reading this new report put out by Microsoft. https://news.microsoft.com/annual-work-trend-index-2025/?msockid=28a772f4258861cb084667e62495609e
kara recommends the following next steps:
Jordan Powell
SEO Specialist
1
Answer
Tooele, Utah
Updated
Jordan’s Answer
Honestly, you should just learn how to use AI in your role and develop you soft skills. Yes, AI can do a lot of things but AI needs to be looked at more as a tool instead of replacement. AI has been talked about taking roles but in the grand scheme of things AI will never be human. You have soft skills that you can also develop that AI could never possibly achieve.
I use AI as purely a tool and learn how I can optimize my mundane and repetitive tasks with it so I can do bigger and more impactful tasks. As long as you can keep the mindset of adopting it is a tool and not worrying that it is going to take your job completely you should be good.
I use AI as purely a tool and learn how I can optimize my mundane and repetitive tasks with it so I can do bigger and more impactful tasks. As long as you can keep the mindset of adopting it is a tool and not worrying that it is going to take your job completely you should be good.
Chris Echelmeier
Sales
1
Answer
Breckenridge, Colorado
Updated
Chris’s Answer
Start by learning how to use AI, not just for searching, but also to understand Agents and how AI can make business processes better. Don't just think about making your job safe from AI; focus on how AI will change work and how you can gain skills to benefit from it. Today, we're discussing with business leaders how everyone should learn some management skills. Soon, you might be managing AI agents to handle tasks.
Narita Rai
Program Management
3
Answers
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Updated
Narita’s Answer
Embrace AI. Learn to leverage it to your advantage. Instead of resisting it, consider it as a tool in your leadership toolkit.
Focus on Critical Thinking and Systems Thinking. They'll enable you to leverage the AI to get extraordinary outcomes.
Focus on Critical Thinking and Systems Thinking. They'll enable you to leverage the AI to get extraordinary outcomes.
David Chou
Project Management
28
Answers
Los Angeles, California
Updated
David’s Answer
AI is changing the way we work, especially in our jobs. No matter what career you choose, it's important to learn about AI in that area. Find out how AI can help you in your field and what it can do for you.
Ronan Kearns
AI & Engineering Consultant
5
Answers
Orlando, Florida
Updated
Ronan’s Answer
There is a great book called Deep Work by Cal Newport which succinctly explains that leveraging technology to be more efficient and productive is key to getting ahead. AI 's entire goal is to be able to write, create, act and think like a human. This means being able to validate and manage what the AI is creating, such as apps or content, will be the new role that will be super important. There are many skills you can develop that AI can't do, but ultimately leveraging and working with AI will be the best route rather than focusing on what AI can't do.
Demetrius Vaughn
District Leader
21
Answers
Columbia, South Carolina
Updated
Demetrius’s Answer
People skills, like making connections with others, are very important in today's world. Using these skills helps us communicate well and gain trust.
Paul Rogers
Solutions Engineer | Technical Consultant | Leadership Mentor
18
Answers
Tacoma, Washington
Updated
Paul’s Answer
Hi Annabelle,
This is an incredible question — and thinking this way already puts you ahead of most people.
Here’s the truth: AI isn't going to replace people where human interaction, creativity, and judgment are necessary.
But people who know how to use AI will replace people who don’t.
The key is to embrace AI, not fear it. Learn how AI works, how it supports decision-making, and how it can free you up to focus on higher-level skills that machines can’t replicate — like leadership, strategy, emotional intelligence, and creative problem-solving.
Think about it like this:
QuickBooks didn't eliminate accountants. It eliminated accountants who refused to adapt.
Calculators didn't replace mathematicians. They empowered mathematicians to solve bigger problems faster.
AI will be the same — a tool that multiplies your value if you master it.
My advice:
Learn everything you can about AI fundamentals (ethics, uses, limitations, practical tools).
Stay focused on building irreplaceable human skills: leadership, communication, critical thinking, empathy, and creativity.
Position yourself as someone who can bridge the gap between technology and real human needs.
The future belongs to people who know how to lead with technology — not run from it.
You’re already thinking like a future leader by asking this question — keep going!
Take a free intro to AI course (LinkedIn Learning, Coursera, or Google has great ones).
Practice explaining a simple AI concept (like ChatGPT) to a non-technical person.
Focus on building human skills like critical thinking and relationship building every day.
Follow tech and leadership thought leaders to stay inspired and updated.
This is an incredible question — and thinking this way already puts you ahead of most people.
Here’s the truth: AI isn't going to replace people where human interaction, creativity, and judgment are necessary.
But people who know how to use AI will replace people who don’t.
The key is to embrace AI, not fear it. Learn how AI works, how it supports decision-making, and how it can free you up to focus on higher-level skills that machines can’t replicate — like leadership, strategy, emotional intelligence, and creative problem-solving.
Think about it like this:
QuickBooks didn't eliminate accountants. It eliminated accountants who refused to adapt.
Calculators didn't replace mathematicians. They empowered mathematicians to solve bigger problems faster.
AI will be the same — a tool that multiplies your value if you master it.
My advice:
Learn everything you can about AI fundamentals (ethics, uses, limitations, practical tools).
Stay focused on building irreplaceable human skills: leadership, communication, critical thinking, empathy, and creativity.
Position yourself as someone who can bridge the gap between technology and real human needs.
The future belongs to people who know how to lead with technology — not run from it.
You’re already thinking like a future leader by asking this question — keep going!
Paul recommends the following next steps:
Brandyn Knight
Operations Supervisor, Owner - Life & Career Coach
18
Answers
Orillia, Ontario, Canada
Updated
Brandyn’s Answer
Great question, Annabelle! You're thinking about your future in exactly the right way. While AI can automate tasks, analyze data, and even assist with decision-making, there are uniquely human strengths that remain in high demand—and those are the ones worth developing.
Here are a few timeless, AI-resistant skills aspiring business professionals like you can focus on:
1. Emotional Intelligence (EQ):
Understanding people, reading emotions, building relationships, and handling conflict are human skills that drive leadership and trust—things AI can't replicate.
2. Creative & Critical Thinking:
AI can generate ideas, but the ability to synthesize information, question assumptions, and come up with innovative solutions is a powerful human advantage.
3. Communication & Storytelling:
AI can assist in writing, but humans connect through authentic storytelling, persuasion, and active listening—skills crucial in leadership, marketing, and management.
4. Adaptability & Growth Mindset:
In a fast-changing world, being open to learning new skills and adapting quickly is what will set you apart. AI evolves, and so should we!
5. Ethical Judgment & Decision Making:
AI can suggest outcomes, but only humans can make complex decisions that involve values, context, and social impact.
You're already ahead of the curve just by asking this question. Keep learning and growing, and you’ll build a career AI can’t replace.
Practice your people skills: Join school clubs, lead group projects, or volunteer—any opportunity to work with others builds emotional intelligence.
Grow your creativity: Explore challenges like case competitions, design thinking exercises, or journaling creative ideas regularly.
Explore tools like ChatGPT or Canva AI: Experiment with how AI assists in business tasks, but focus on adding your human touch.
Read “Future Skills” by Bernard Marr or Microsoft’s Work Trend Index for insight into what tomorrow’s professionals need today.
Continuous Life-long learning and investment in professional development - Research career trends and skill demands and don't be affraid to learn new and emerging skills
Here are a few timeless, AI-resistant skills aspiring business professionals like you can focus on:
1. Emotional Intelligence (EQ):
Understanding people, reading emotions, building relationships, and handling conflict are human skills that drive leadership and trust—things AI can't replicate.
2. Creative & Critical Thinking:
AI can generate ideas, but the ability to synthesize information, question assumptions, and come up with innovative solutions is a powerful human advantage.
3. Communication & Storytelling:
AI can assist in writing, but humans connect through authentic storytelling, persuasion, and active listening—skills crucial in leadership, marketing, and management.
4. Adaptability & Growth Mindset:
In a fast-changing world, being open to learning new skills and adapting quickly is what will set you apart. AI evolves, and so should we!
5. Ethical Judgment & Decision Making:
AI can suggest outcomes, but only humans can make complex decisions that involve values, context, and social impact.
You're already ahead of the curve just by asking this question. Keep learning and growing, and you’ll build a career AI can’t replace.
Brandyn recommends the following next steps:
Julia Muhlenberg
2
Answers
Updated
Julia’s Answer
Hi Annabelle!
I have been working in public accounting on audit engagements for almost 3 years now, and I think that the skillset that is necessary and irreplaceable consists of the below:
- Soft Skills, Relationships. Just how nobody likes to get a robot on a customer service call, no client would like a robot asking them questions. Also, it is way easier for you to get what you need for the audit when the client feels positively about your relationship
- Organization: While AI might be able to do this to some capacity, it takes human judgement to decide what the best way to organize their work and tasks is, based on the nature of the engagement and the client.
- Critical thinking/judgement: AI will be extremely helpful to give us output upon which we can make judgement and decisions.
I have been working in public accounting on audit engagements for almost 3 years now, and I think that the skillset that is necessary and irreplaceable consists of the below:
- Soft Skills, Relationships. Just how nobody likes to get a robot on a customer service call, no client would like a robot asking them questions. Also, it is way easier for you to get what you need for the audit when the client feels positively about your relationship
- Organization: While AI might be able to do this to some capacity, it takes human judgement to decide what the best way to organize their work and tasks is, based on the nature of the engagement and the client.
- Critical thinking/judgement: AI will be extremely helpful to give us output upon which we can make judgement and decisions.
Anthony Peruchietti
Technology-Software Delivery
6
Answers
Detroit, Michigan
Updated
Anthony’s Answer
Begin by mastering your field and forming strong relationships. Let AI handle the minor tasks to boost your business. However, it's your strategic thinking and the connections you build that will truly drive your business ahead.
John Burns
Product Manager
7
Answers
San Diego, California
Updated
John’s Answer
To stay ahead in a world where AI is becoming more common, people in business should focus on being flexible and open to change. While AI can handle some tasks, it can't replace human traits like creativity, emotional understanding, good judgment, and leading in uncertain times. Important skills include thinking critically, working well with different teams, making smart decisions, and communicating clearly. It's also important to be quick to learn new things and adapt when industries change. Those who succeed will see change as a chance, not a threat. You can build these skills by gaining real-world experience, finding mentors, always learning, and taking on projects that challenge you.
Dale Zientek
IT Manager
1
Answer
Houston, Texas
Updated
Dale’s Answer
In my opinion, AI is just another evolution in our lifetime. Similar to how the PC has evolved, etc. I view AI as an administrative workhorse. Is it fun to play with, sure it is. Everyone should at least know what it is and what it does. In my line of work, it is all about people (people management). AI cannot replace that (at least not anytime soon. lol) Focus on the skill of people, intelligence, social, emotional, etc. Become a thought leader or a people leader. Then you use AI to your advantage while leading people.
Thank you for the advice, Dale.
Kevin
Christian Drouin
Sr Specialist
1
Answer
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Updated
Christian’s Answer
Great question! It shows you're really thinking about your future.
In simple terms, data is what powers AI. You might have heard the saying "garbage in, garbage out." Data scientists who know how processes connect will have an advantage, as data science is becoming more AI-focused.
With that in mind, I suggest you build a useful skill: learn to think creatively. AI will keep improving, but it won't be human and might never have intuition. I like to say that all roads lead to Rome, but some take longer. Think of it as a journey, and ask yourself if you're ready to dive in.
A popular method for finding the root cause of problems is the "5 Whys." It's a great skill to learn early in your career because it helps you stay curious and find creative solutions. This will make you stand out, and as you get better at it, the process will become easier until it's just another tool you can use confidently.
In simple terms, data is what powers AI. You might have heard the saying "garbage in, garbage out." Data scientists who know how processes connect will have an advantage, as data science is becoming more AI-focused.
With that in mind, I suggest you build a useful skill: learn to think creatively. AI will keep improving, but it won't be human and might never have intuition. I like to say that all roads lead to Rome, but some take longer. Think of it as a journey, and ask yourself if you're ready to dive in.
A popular method for finding the root cause of problems is the "5 Whys." It's a great skill to learn early in your career because it helps you stay curious and find creative solutions. This will make you stand out, and as you get better at it, the process will become easier until it's just another tool you can use confidently.