Asger Risom
As automation accelerates and routine tasks shift toward machines, employers are placing new weight on human strengths that technology still cannot match.
As automation accelerates and routine tasks shift toward machines, employers are placing new weight on human strengths that technology still cannot match. Business Insider spoke with leaders across major companies to identify the three capabilities that will matter most — regardless of industry.
Problem-solving power
LinkedIn’s Prashanthi Padmanabhan told Business Insider that non-technical abilities such as critical thinking, teamwork, and problem-solving now sit alongside engineering skills in hiring decisions. Experts say AI can surface ideas instantly, but only people can interpret ambiguous data, weigh trade-offs, and decide what should happen next.
Michael Housman of AI-ccelerator noted that employees should focus on “complementary” skills — especially complex problem-solving that involves incomplete or conflicting information. He added that organisations moving quickly into AI will need workers who can frame the right questions and guide systems toward ethical decisions.
Cisco’s Guy Diedrich echoed that view, saying the pace of AI development will force companies to make difficult judgments, making “asking the right questions” one of the most valuable abilities in the workforce.
Reading people
Emotional intelligence is also becoming central. ExpandIQ founder Alex King told Business Insider that self-awareness and the ability to “read” a situation are increasingly essential as automation expands. He argued that instincts about when to step forward — and when to step back — are skills AI cannot replace.
IBM chief scientist Ruchir Puri said that while executive success often begins with technical competence, it ultimately depends on what he calls “emotional quotient” and “relational quotient.” He urged workers to prioritise empathy, clear communication, and adapting explanations to the needs of the audience.
Puri added that impact depends not only on the message but also on “how you say it,” noting that clarity and empathy remain irreplaceably human.
Imagination at work
As AI accelerates production timelines, leaders expect more space for deep thinking and idea generation. Cisco executive Jeetu Patel told Business Insider that as AI removes bottlenecks in software development, imagination itself becomes the constraint.
Consultant Terri Horton said creativity includes rethinking how jobs function once AI handles 30% of existing tasks. She encouraged workers to propose new responsibilities, suggest ways AI could boost team performance, and help redesign roles around higher-value work.
Padmanabhan added that candidates increasingly showcase creativity by building projects that illustrate original ideas, even without formal programming backgrounds.
Sources: Business Insider, Digi24, AI-ccelerator
