Thriving in the age of AI: the 5 human skills that still set you apart

Katie Austin

Minutes
1st July 2025
Employee Experience
AI
EX design
Future of work
As artificial intelligence becomes more embedded in our working lives—automating processes, generating insights, and even personalising communication—it’s natural to wonder: what’s uniquely left for us to do?

At The EX Space, we believe the answer is plenty. In fact, the rise of AI is making certain human capabilities even more vital.

The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report highlights a striking trend: as automation increases, the demand for human-centred skills—like empathy, creativity, and adaptability—isn’t going away. It’s accelerating. Over 80% of workers say these are more important now than ever.
So, which skills should people professionals be doubling down on? Here are five we believe will shape the future of work—skills AI simply can’t replicate:

1. Creativity that sparks change

AI can remix, optimise, and generate based on patterns. But coming up with something truly new? That’s our domain.

Creativity means challenging assumptions, exploring the unfamiliar, and bringing a human touch to experiences. Whether it’s designing a new approach to onboarding or dreaming up a more meaningful way to celebrate milestones, creative thinking fuels innovation in employee experience.

💡 Try this: Ask “what if?” more often—and explore the edges.

2. Navigating complexity with human judgement

AI is fantastic at surfacing data. But when the landscape is messy or unclear—think culture clashes, trust breakdowns, or organisational change—there’s no substitute for human insight.

Tackling nuanced challenges requires emotional context, lived experience, and systems thinking. That’s where people professionals shine.

💡 Start with the data—but then ask: what story is this trying to tell me?

3. Emotional intelligence that builds trust

Empathy is at the heart of employee experience. While AI might mimic tone, it doesn’t truly understand emotion.

You do. You sense what’s unsaid, read the room, and create space for people to feel seen and heard. These micro-moments of connection make or break engagement.

💡 Slow down, check in, and lead with curiosity. Connection is your currency.

4. Curiosity that drives forward thinking

Where AI brings answers, humans bring questions—and that’s where the magic starts.

A curious mindset helps you adapt, spot emerging trends, and co-create solutions. It also helps you ask better questions of AI, unlocking smarter outcomes.

💡 Make learning a habit. Ask, explore, iterate. It’s how we stay ahead.

5. Adaptability that turns disruption into growth

AI won’t burn out or feel overwhelmed—but it also can’t bounce back, rethink, or grow stronger from challenge. You can.

Resilience is more than endurance—it’s our ability to learn through uncertainty and move forward with purpose. As work evolves, this will be your superpower.

💡 Experiment small. Reflect often. Confidence grows through action.
What this means for people professionals 

These aren’t just soft skills—they’re strategic ones. They’ll shape how we design work, lead change, and create experiences that matter.

At The EX Space, we help people pros like you develop and apply these capabilities intentionally—so you’re not just keeping up, you’re confidently shaping what’s next.

👉 The World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs Report predicts human-centric skills will be even more in demand by 2027 as AI adoption grows. 

👉 Want to go deeper? Download our Future of Work whitepaper.

👉 Ready to explore what these skills could look like in action? Join us inside The EX Space —where the future of employee experience is being imagined, built, and redefined every day.