How AI impacts the IQ and EQ components of jobs

The impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on jobs, particularly on the IQ (Intelligence Quotient) and EQ (Emotional Quotient) components, is a complex and evolving subject. Over the years, the growing capabilities of AI in performing routine mental tasks have increased the importance of soft skills, which are more challenging to replicate with software.

According to a McKinsey report, automation could displace 20-25% of the workforce in high-wage economies like the U.S., Japan, and France by 2030.

The demand for decision-making skills, for instance, has significantly grown in the United States, rising more than fourfold between 1960 and 2018. This trend is observed not just in general job roles but also in higher executive positions, where the emphasis on social skills like communication and theory of mind is becoming more pronounced.

New AI-related jobs are emerging, with LinkedIn reporting 170,000 job listings will be requiring AI expertise in 2024.

AI's impact is not limited to routine tasks; it extends to more advanced capabilities like writing articles, generating images, and engaging in conversations. This advancement in AI has led to a growing concern about the future role of humans in the workforce, especially for tasks that are traditionally seen as requiring a high level of intelligence.

An IBM survey highlighted the need for retraining over 120 million workers globally in the next three years, emphasizing EQ-related skills.

However, emotional intelligence (EQ) is increasingly recognized as a significant domain where humans can excel and complement AI. Skills like critical thinking, creativity, ethics, empathy, collaboration, and effective communication are gaining importance in the age of AI. These EQ-related skills are not just about becoming more human but also about the ability to ask relevant questions, listen critically, and engage in knowledge sharing.

From an industry perspective, AI is expected to impact jobs by automating both routine and non-routine tasks. This trend necessitates a change in employability skills and a rethinking of the human resource function in organizations. It's vital for HR departments to understand the dynamics of technology impacts in the workplace and to facilitate effective collaboration between human workers and AI systems while ensuring compliance with labor laws and strategic objectives.

The pace and scope of AI and automation adoption are influenced by multiple factors including technical feasibility, cost of deployment, labor market dynamics, and social norms. Simultaneously, the introduction of AI and related technologies is expected to create new job opportunities and demand for labor, potentially offsetting job losses.

New roles that cannot currently be imagined may account for a significant portion of jobs created by 2030.

Moreover, jobs are expected to evolve as AI complements human labor, with increased demand for skills in technology, social and emotional intelligence, creativity, critical thinking, and complex information processing.

The nature of work is changing, with a shift in tasks between humans and machines. While certain routine jobs may face automation risks, AI is also creating new job opportunities, particularly in fields that require high-level cognitive skills and emotional intelligence.