During a recent innovation summit, technology experts gave the assurance that people’s “soft” skills would remain important even as new scientific advancements reorganize and reshape workplaces, as artificial intelligence (AI) may have intelligence quotient (IQ), but humans have both IQ and emotional intelligence (EQ), which make them irreplaceable.
Peter Maquera, CEO of Microsoft Philippines, says the magic in workplaces is not the result of technology, but it is when people start innovating. In modern, high-technology workplaces, he said “soft skills, like communication skills, become much more important… People skills will matter more now, not less.”
Noel Bonoan, vice chair and COO of KPMG Philippines, prefers to call them “essential” rather than soft skills, saying that given the nature of their work, there is a lot of personal and sensitive interaction with clients.
Maquera points out that AI, which is possibly the most feared technological development at the moment, is merely a tool to help in and improve the way of doing things. It is “safe, secure, and trustworthy” and a company has to take steps to transform itself into an AI-confident organization. AI should allow people to spend less time at work but use that time more efficiently.
Bonoan sees AI as another tool that can facilitate many of the routine tasks of an accounting firm like KPMG, but not replace the expertise of humans. He stressed that so many factors that go into decision making depend on human intervention. He however admits that new entrants to the labor force have to possess the skills to use the new technologies competently and efficiently.
Fears that AI can easily replace humans when it comes to doing certain jobs are certainly unfounded. However, the focus on the ability of the human race to adapt and evolve are not given enough credit, along with our skills that cannot be replicated by computers and machines. If we see AI as a tool, rather than a threat, there are a lot of benefits that can be gleaned from the technology.
The development of artificial Intelligence is far too advanced to be stopped. All stakeholders, from the business and industry sector, to government, and labor, will need to adapt to and focus on the advantages instead of dwelling on the fears and threats. If we can make the most of this technology, humans may end up having more time to enjoy our life, rather than spending all our time at work.*
