As Tech Use Rises, Soft Skills Take Center Stage

Soft skills are in high demand, according to new survey data from Business Name Generator. The vast majority (81%) of employees and managers believe new hires must possess soft skills, and 71% of employees believe these skills will be just as important or more important in the future.

Companies continue to embrace new technologies, like artificial intelligence (AI), and they need a workforce with digital skills. The survey found that top reasons for using AI are to improve existing processes and increase efficiency (21%), to improve customer service (20%), to improve the productivity of employees (18%), and to generate new ideas, products, or services (18%). More than one-third of companies provide digital skills training.

At the same time, businesses also need employees with the soft skills that AI can’t provide, like communication, problem-solving, time management, and critical thinking. Many companies are helping employees expand these skill sets through training, especially for the most crucial soft skills of communication and problem-solving.

Overall, the results suggest that for companies to grow and thrive into the future, they will need to nurture the development of both hard and soft skills in their workforce.