"When we think about the future of work, AI is the first trend that bubbles to the top because it's altering how we work, causing the average worker and employer to re-think what the nature of work even means anymore. Data shows that most experts see tech literacy continuing to dominate AI predictions for 2026, along with fluency that will require more human-centric collaboration with AI teammates."
""The term 'soft skills' has never been accurate, and in 2026, it's downright misleading," Jen Paterno, senior behavioral scientist at , told me. "As AI takes over technical expertise, the skills that matter most are human-centric-what industry experts (like Josh Bersin) now call 'Power Skills': emotional intelligence, creativity, resilience, curiosity and social influence." Paterno argues that calling these capabilities "soft" minimizes their impact, adding that they're the foundation of leadership in a world transformed by automation."
AI will dominate workplace change in 2026, altering job functions and prompting redefinition of work. Tech literacy and AI fluency will remain critical, with collaboration between humans and AI teammates becoming essential. Human-centric 'Power Skills'—emotional intelligence, creativity, resilience, curiosity and social influence—will gain prominence over traditional 'soft skills' as foundations of leadership. Organizations that invest in coaching, feedback and experiential learning to develop these skills will outperform peers. Emerging workers, including Gen Z, will value emotional intelligence and collaboration on par with technical abilities like data analysis and coding.
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