The Rise of the Soft Skill

How AI will impact the demand for different skills

Reminiscent of the Tech Boom, the rise of AI and machine learning has already had a profound effect on the job market, and this trend is expected to continue. I believe a significant, yet less obvious, impact may be a shift in the demand for certain types of skills. From my perspective, AI is likely to reduce the need for certain hard (technical) skills while increasing the demand for soft skills.

In this post, we’ll investigate why this change is happening and what it means for workers and job seekers in the age of automation.

Hard and Soft Skills Defined

Hard skills are specialised technical abilities and knowledge that are essential for certain jobs, such as coding, engineering, and data analysis. These skills are usually acquired through formal education and training programs and are highly specialised and technical in nature.

On the other hand, soft skills are personal qualities and characteristics that enable people to interact effectively with others. They are often referred to as people skills or interpersonal skills, such as communication, collaboration, problem-solving, decision-making, time management, and adaptability. Although these skills are not as easy to teach and learn as hard skills, they are often just as important, if not more important, for success in the workplace. Soft skills can be developed through experience, education, and training, and they are essential for building and maintaining strong relationships with colleagues, customers, and clients.

The following table compares Hard and Soft skills within certain occupations:

Software programs and algorithms are already being developed to automate tasks such as data entry, customer service, and even legal document review. As these technologies continue to advance, it is likely that more and more jobs that currently require hard skills will be replaced by automated systems, taking many people by surprise.

Why are Highly Technical Skills so Vulnerable?

There are several reasons why hard skills are more likely to be automated in the near future.

For AI the easy things are hard and the hard things are easy.

One reason is that hard skills can be more easily codified and standardised. For example, a software program can be designed to follow a set of rules and procedures in order to complete a task, while a human worker may have more flexibility and creativity in their approach.

Additionally, hard skills are often easier to quantify and measure, making it easier for employers to determine if an employee is meeting certain standards or benchmarks.

Conversely, soft skills like effectively communicating with other people as a leader or salesperson are not easy to codify. These are human-centred tasks requiring human-to-human exchange; no one wants to be sold to by a robot or to respect a robot as a leader or authority. These skills are even hard for many humans to handle, often only suited to certain vibrant, confident, and visionary personalities.

Overall, the decreasing demand for hard skills is a trend that is likely to continue as AI and machine learning technologies continue to advance. This shift will have significant implications for workers and job seekers who have relied on hard skills in their careers, and it is important for individuals to start considering how they can adapt and stay competitive in the face of automation.

Preparing for change

If you’re a worker or job seeker, there are several steps you can take to prepare for this shift.

First, consider investing in your own education and training to develop and improve your soft skills. This might involve taking courses or workshops, seeking out mentors or coaching, or simply seeking out opportunities to practice and develop your skills on the job.

Additionally, stay up-to-date on the latest developments in AI and machine learning, and consider how these technologies might impact your industry or profession.

Finally, don’t be afraid to seek out new opportunities and consider a career change if necessary. With the right skills and mindset, you can succeed in the job market of the future.

Summary

In conclusion, the rise of AI and machine learning is having a profound effect on the demand for certain skills in the job market. Hard skills such as coding and engineering are likely to become increasingly automated, while the need for soft skills like communication and problem-solving is expected to grow. This shift will have major implications for workers and job seekers, so it’s essential for individuals to start planning how they can adapt and remain competitive in the face of automation.