Essential 'Soft Skills' Critical for Business Success in the AI Era
In the rapidly evolving world of digital transformation, a new report from Multiverse has highlighted the importance of soft skills in successfully adopting and integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) into business operations.
According to the research, cultural change has long been a key hurdle in digital transformation projects. However, the study indicates that companies that prioritize soft skills are more likely to successfully adopt and integrate AI.
Multiverse based its top soft skills on observational research with frequent AI users and its own learnings in upskilling workers in the use of AI technology. The key soft skills required for successful AI adoption in enterprises, as identified by Multiverse, include analytical reasoning, creativity, systems thinking, and ethical awareness.
Analytical reasoning enables staff to break down complex information so AI can effectively follow instructions and helps them identify when AI is not suitable. Systems thinking allows employees to recognize patterns in AI behavior and predict how AI tools will respond to various tasks.
Creativity is crucial in early adoption phases, encouraging experimentation and extending AI's usefulness. Ethical awareness helps staff identify and mitigate biases in AI outputs, enforce ethical standards, and ensure appropriate AI use.
Gary Eimerman, chief learning officer at Multiverse, stated that leaders are spending millions on AI tools, but their investment focus isn't going to succeed if they don't also focus on soft skills. He emphasized that these soft skills are equally important as technical skills for realizing AI's full potential in business environments.
The study also highlights the importance of a combined approach to AI adoption that includes both technical proficiency and broader skills development. Without a deliberate focus on capabilities like analytical reasoning and creativity, AI projects will not deliver up to their potential.
The research comes in the wake of similar studies that show companies that prioritize soft skills are nearly twice as likely to successfully adopt and integrate AI. However, surging AI adoption rates are creating an unprecedented skills shortage, with AI skills shortages being exacerbated by surging salary demands.
Moreover, a recent study from Trustmarque warned about the risks of AI bias, particularly during development processes. The study noted that enterprises are building and deploying AI models designed for traditional software processes and fail to account for risks such as model bias. Staff with responsible AI skills, such as ethical awareness, are vital for enterprises to address these risks and ensure the responsible use of AI.
In conclusion, the adoption and integration of AI in businesses require a balanced approach that focuses on both technical skills and soft skills like analytical reasoning, creativity, systems thinking, and ethical awareness. These skills support employees in problem-solving, evaluating AI outputs, innovating new AI use cases, and ensuring ethical AI deployment aligned with cultural and geographic norms.
- In the realm of digital transformation, where AI integration is becoming increasingly crucial for businesses, the study from Multiverse underscores that a balanced approach emphasizing both technical skills and soft skills like analytical reasoning, creativity, systems thinking, and ethical awareness, is essential for successful AI adoption.
- While the demand for AI skills is soaring, creating a significant skills shortage, the study also stresses that soft skills, such as ethical awareness, are indispensable for enterprises to address AI biases, ensure responsible AI use, and build AI models that align with cultural and geographic norms.
