“What is one thing that you do in your current role that AI definitely cannot do?” – this is often the opening ice breaker in my recent training sessions alongside reflecting on what unique strengths you bring to your role. AI is now in many workplaces and is a key tool for freelancers. It’s speeding up so many processes and is creeping into all aspects of our lives.
Oxford University has just become the first UK university to offer free access to ChatGPT Edu for all its students and staff. It’s a bold move, and one that signals just how quickly AI is becoming part of everyday learning.
There are huge advantages here. Students can use AI to spark ideas, draft essays, and find new angles on their research. Staff can cut down on admin and free up more time for teaching. The potential for faster, more personalised support is real.
And yet, I can’t help but pause.
Because while AI can deliver information, it doesn’t teach us how to reflect. It doesn’t help us navigate an ethical dilemma, or show us what it means to listen with empathy. It can’t sense when someone in the room is struggling, or offer encouragement in a way that truly lands.
These are human skills. And they matter more than ever.
In a world where AI tools are accessible to every student and professional, what will make the real difference is emotional intelligence, self-awareness, adaptability, integrity, and the ability to connect. Employers are already saying this — they want graduates and professionals who can bring nuance, judgement, and empathy to their work.
AI has the potential to impact the way humans interact with the world — and each other. Social psychologist Brian S. Lowery and AI technologist Kylan Gibbs dive into the ramifications of emerging technologies on people’s mental health and social dynamics.
That’s why my work at 7 Skills for the Future focuses so strongly on these qualities.
AI may change how we learn and work, but it’s our uniquely human skills that will define how well we lead, collaborate, and create.
I’m exploring this in more depth in two upcoming sessions:
The Power of Emotional Intelligence in the Age of AI – O’Reilly Media, 30th September (online, open globally)
Supercharging EQ in the Era of AI – face-to-face workshops with law firm CMS at their Edinburgh offices exploring how EQ skills shape practice in a profession increasingly influenced by AI.
Oxford’s move is a milestone. But it’s also a reminder: if AI is learning faster than ever, we need to keep actively strengthening the skills it can’t replicate.
