How to Develop Key Human Skills In the Age of AI

We are in an era of rapid technological advancements. Every workplace is experiencing a massive shift, and with the entry of generative AI, automation and AI integration are faster than ever. However, the need for human skills has never been more pronounced. They remain essential tools for the growth of businesses, especially in the UAE. AI in HR is here to stay, but it is unlikely to replace human labour. Hence, the success of UAE businesses still depends on the value and skills human labour provides. So, how do companies develop these skills in the age of AI? 

Companies can develop human skills in their employees by running various leadership programs. The skills include soft and hard skills, which are necessary to navigate the AI world. This article highlights the necessary skills and how to go about building them in the workspace. 

Human skills are a set of capabilities that are necessary for the smooth sailing of businesses. A company with human skills is more equipped at navigating partnerships and forming better bonds with customers. Keep reading to learn more about this dynamic and what it entails. 

Why Key Human Skills Are Necessary in An AI-inclusive Workplace 

Human skills include a vast array of capabilities crucial for smooth sailing in the business world. They are necessary to drive innovation and navigate complex situations. Plus, these skills encompass various types: soft and hard skills. 

Soft skills are interpersonal skills, commonly known as people skills. They influence how people communicate, collaborate, and interact. Soft skills foster a positive workplace environment, which can be challenging to replicate with AI. On the other hand, hard skills are more technical. They include data management, machine learning, and programming. These skills are necessary to utilize AI to get the desired outcomes. 

Both skill types are necessary to navigate the era of generative AI in the workplace. While AI performs better at several tasks, human skills remain crucial to ensure the company runs smoothly. It is impossible to void human-to-human interactions, which makes soft skills important. Also, AI needs input from humans to work as it should. Hence, hard human skills are needed. In the following sections, we delve deeper into how to teach these skills and why they are essential. 

Incorporate AI Skills into Learning & Development Programs 

While the UAE workforce panic about AI, most professionals will remain relevant. Rather than being replaced, AI will enhance their skills. Hence, it is crucial to upskill your team. Here are several instances in which incorporating AI can help across various fields: 

• Content creators can use generative AI to edit copies faster 
• Software developers can employ AI to code more effectively 
• Project managers can unwound complex schedules and manage timelines better 
• AI in HR can automate equity audits and onboarding workflows. 

Undoubtedly, it is necessary to incorporate AI into digital learning and development programs. Focus on training employees on how best to leverage AI tools. To do this, craft customized courses for professional departments or teams with the need. This way, employees are up to speed on how AI can augment their daily activities. 

Focus on Human Skills that AI Can’t Replace

AI can’t replace some human skills regardless of how intelligent and effective it gets. These skills are soft skills and go a long way in empowering innovation. Here are the soft skills that every team should incorporate and how to develop it: 

• Problem-solving and critical thinking
• Communication and Collaboration
• Emotional intelligence and Empathy
• Creativity and innovation
• Adaptability and lifelong learning

Problem Solving and Critical Thinking  

AI performs well in tackling high-volume tasks. However, human critical thinking and predisposition to problem-solving are unparalleled. Critical thinking is analyzing, evaluating, and applying logic to make informed decisions. This essential human skill can improve the reliability and quality of AI systems.

When AI is at its depth, this skill can help propose alternative solutions or scenarios. As a result, employees need to be able to employ this skill when needed. 

Communication and Collaboration 

Communication is exchanging information, emotions, and ideas. The skill is necessary for coordinating and collaborating with other employees. While AI can offer orders, it can’t replace how humans communicate with themselves. 

As a company, communicating and collaborating skills are vital. These skills can be incorporated by enforcing nonverbal and verbal communication programs. 

Emotional intelligence and Empathy 

AI is incapable of feeling emotions or being empathetic. Yet, empathy and emotional intelligence ensures a company runs smoothly. While these skills are tricky to teach, they are relevant. 

Moreover, several resources teach how employees can be more empathetic and emotionally intelligent. An empathetic mindset enables a progressive environment. It significantly impacts relations with other team players and customers. While often looked down on, these factors are crucial. 

Adaptability and lifelong learning

Humans are hardwired to resist any form of change, and this includes the entry of generative AI. While resistance to change played a massive role in our survival in ancient times, today, changes like AI are less likely to affect our survival. Yet, our brain blocks out the possibility of change similarly. 

When integrating an AI-inclusive atmosphere, note your team’s reception to change. People operate on different continuums. Meet each of them where they are rather than enforcing change on them. Not only does this make the process easier, but it also enables a better reception of the change.

Creativity and Innovation 

If generative AI is creative, it is because humans inputted creative prompts. One significant skill that every UAE workspace needs is creativity and innovation. As the world shifts towards automation, innovation and creativity become more vital. Hence, companies and businesses must cultivate these skills in their workforce.

Although several people have a natural disposition, people can learn this skill. The right mindset can cultivate a disposition to creative thought processes. This way, employees can create better, more engaging ways to do things, which are necessary for sporadic growth in most industries.  

How to Instill Key Human Skills in Your Employees 

Many UAE companies have integrated AI into their typical running of things. While this means more efficiency, it could also negatively impact the business. Employees need to be properly integrated into the system. This way, employees relate well with others and the AI system. Here are the steps to take.  

Consider the Necessary Skills 

Running upskill programs costs time and money. Hence,  you must stick to the necessary skills. These skills include soft and hard skills (i.e., AI skills) needed to navigate the current trends. Sticking with these skills ensures a proper upskill program. It also saves cost and time. 

Treat Employees Like Partners 

When you create learning and development programs, regard your employees as partners. They are more likely to participate in learning a new skill if they understand why it is being held. Before you start the program, ensure the motive is clear. This way, they are more in tune with the skills they ought to learn and why they’re necessary in an era of AI in the workplace. 

Design the Learning and Development Programs 

Once the employees are on board, it is time to design the necessary programs. Resources to help develop soft skills are ubiquitous. They are on YouTube, in books, and even speeches. You can host seminars that include all the necessary skills. However, these programs must be adequate to ensure guaranteed results. So, it is crucial to focus on high-return programs by sticking to what worked for other industries.  

Dedicate the Needed Time and Attention to the Task 

Training employees on soft and AI skills requires a lot of patience and time. Your company needs to devote attention to the task. Trying to teach AI and human skills might take a while, and that’s okay. Ensure you’re patient with your employees. Also, find appropriate ways to integrate the programs into their schedule that don’t affect their working hours. 

Teach By Example 

One of the faster ways to ensure that employees pick up these human skills is by serving as an exemplar. When team players see soft skills in use, they are inspired to follow accordingly. Acclimatizing them to a more human-centric environment makes the skills feel more natural. Display some necessary skills and watch your team members get motivated to do the same. 

Encourage Feedbacks 

One of the major setbacks with soft skills is they are difficult to gauge, unlike hard skills. Hence, you can note the pressure points and growth by encouraging feedback. This process allows leaders and employees to acclimatize to the new situation.

Prepare for New AI-based Positions

Integrating AI technology includes the need for AI-based positions. Several roles like AI lawyer, AI project manager, and others are starting to spring up. To optimize efficiency, incorporating these new positions is imperative. They help your company better navigate the AI wave and put it ahead of the competition. 

Your business might also need the assistance of several AI managers as they help oversee the use of generative tools in the workplace. By incorporating AI-based positions, your company can get the best talents early. Plus, it offers the opportunity to upskill existing team members.

Challenges of Developing and Assessing Human-Centric Skills for Working With and Alongside AI 

Although working in an AI workplace has benefits, there are also challenges. Registering these challenges enables preparedness to combat them when they arise. Here are the potential challenges of developing human skills in the age of AI: 

1. Resistance to Change: Some employees might be skeptical about the need to develop human-centric and AI skills. Hence, programs that highlight the benefits of working alongside AI are needed. Moreover, more light should be shed on why human-centric skills are integral.
2. Integrating AI courses to Learning and Development Programs: While AI has been in the system for over a decade, how we relate to it now is different. That said, integrating courses on how to use AI would be largely abstract. As a result, it might be a challenge to teach the skill to employees. 
3. Gauging Human Skills about AI: Gauging how well human skills work with AI might prove difficult. The typical methods used to gauge specific interactions will be inadequate, so there is a need for more adaptable methods. 

How Bayzat Is Necessary for the Seamless Integration of AI in the UAE Workspace  

Bayzat is an all-in-one, user-friendly HR software that helps businesses run employee-related packages smoothly. It is an AI-powered system consistently improved by real-time human trends to improve employee and employer workplace relationships. The software is easy to navigate and works with other systems to promote a more performance-focused community. Get our free Bayzat program now to maximize the power of AI for a healthier workplace that prioritizes everyone and facilitates teamwork.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do Companies Develop Good People Skills? 

Companies can develop good people skills by incorporating specific programs that focus on teaching specific skills like active listening, empathy, and effective communication. These programs can help create a more inclusive and progressive workspace. 

What Are the Different Human Skills Needed in an Organization in the Age of AI? 

There are two main types of human skills that are more prevalent as AI takes over the UAE workplace. These skills are hard and soft skills. Hard skills include technical skills such as data processing and other AI-related skills. Similarly, human soft skills are necessary as well. The need for soft skills like collaboration, empathy, effective communication, innovation, and creativity. 

Why Are People Skills Important in the AI age? 

People skills are important as they enable employees to better relate with themselves within the organization and turnover better results on projects. When employees can decipher what their team members want, they can optimize the available human resource they have and upscale the business. 

In What Levels of Management Are Human Skills Necessary? 

Human skills have so many perks that are necessary for management. There are no levels that should be excluded from learning the appropriate skills. These skills should and do apply to all tiers of management.