📈 AI & The Future of Work: Soft Skills Become Indispensable

Recent insights into the evolution of technology, sparked by discussions from figures like Elon Musk, highlight a pivotal shift in the global and Sri Lankan labor markets. While AI automates routine tasks, human-centric capabilities are becoming the ultimate economic differentiator. • The Skill Shift: AI is not eliminating the need for skills but redefining them. Hard skills (repetition/recall) are being automated, while soft skills (judgment, ethical reasoning, and leadership) are seeing a surge in value. • Impact on Professionals: For Sri Lanka’s ICT/BPM and professional services sectors, qualifications like CIMA, ACCA, CIM, and CFA remain critical. These roles are evolving to focus on "learning how to learn" rather than relying on fixed, historical knowledge. • Core Competencies for 2026: • Digital Literacy: Beyond coding; focuses on interpreting AI outputs and understanding technological incentives. • Human Capital: Leadership, empathy, negotiation, and resilience are cited as skills AI cannot replicate. • Strategic Value: Organizations and boards now prioritize individuals who can provide moral guidance and strategic reassurance—areas where machines fail. • Bottom Line: AI will not replace skilled professionals; it will replace those who stop learning. Continuous Professional Development (CPD) is shifting from a career phase to the career itself.