16 skills that become more valuable because of AI

In an era where artificial intelligence is transforming workplaces, certain human skills are gaining heightened importance. Drawing from insights of industry professionals, this article identifies 16 essential skills that become increasingly valuable in an AI-driven landscape. These competencies center around decision-making, critical thinking, leadership, adaptability, and communication.

While AI excels at executing tasks, human judgment remains irreplaceable in determining where AI should intervene and where human oversight is necessary.

One such skill is the ability to define decision rights within organizational processes. This involves clarifying which decisions should be left to AI systems and which must be handled by humans. Without explicitly defining these boundaries, employees may struggle to trust AI outputs, leading to adoption challenges and wasted resources.

For instance, a manufacturing client automated a supplier risk-scoring workflow. Initially, the procurement team was hesitant to act on AI recommendations due to a lack of clarity on responsibility. However, once decision rights were clearly established, adoption of the AI system increased significantly, resulting in a 60% reduction in cycle time.

Another crucial skill is interrogating AI-generated answers before acting upon them. This entails critically examining AI outputs, testing assumptions, and verifying information from primary sources. A notable example is the case of Ernst & Young Canada, which reported that 72% of their report was AI-generated, yet found that 16 out of 27 cited sources were fabricated.

The ability to discern the accuracy and credibility of AI-generated information has become a scarce skill, as large language models produce plausible outputs that may not be entirely accurate. Developing AI interrogative literacy – the practice of questioning AI outputs before accepting them as truth – can provide a competitive advantage.

Translating complex information into actionable choices is another skill that gains greater value with the advent of AI. While AI can analyze vast amounts of data at unprecedented speeds, it is still essential for humans to distill this information into easily understandable and implementable decisions. This skill involves identifying the most relevant variables, distilling them into clear outputs, and presenting them in a way that non-experts can comprehend and take action upon immediately.

For example, a mortgage readiness tool for brokers previously relied on four financial indicators, making it difficult for borrowers to understand their next steps. By simplifying the analysis into two outputs – a readiness score and an approval likelihood – borrowers could quickly grasp their position and the necessary actions, eliminating the need for extensive interpretation of multiple financial metrics.

Lastly, exercising ruthless judgment regarding AI tools is vital in today's AI-driven environment. With the abundance of AI-powered solutions available, it is easy to become overwhelmed and lose focus on the most valuable tools. The key is to be selective and strategic in choosing the right AI tools that remove the most significant obstacles and streamline processes.

This involves continuously evaluating the effectiveness of different tools and only adopting those that provide tangible value, rather than simply acquiring a wide array of tools for the sake of novelty.