Recent technological advancements have led to significant shifts in job roles and skill requirements, dynamically impacting the career stability of the workforce. While artificial intelligence (AI) continues to streamline technical tasks through advanced algorithms, it still leaves a gap in the domain of soft skills. This gap presents a valuable opportunity for employees and graduates to upskill themselves in these crucial areas and advance in their careers. The future of work will favour individuals who do not disregard the rise of AI but instead possess the ability to leverage it as a facilitator—enhancing processes and driving innovation to achieve exceptional outcomes.
Psychological Impact of AI on Employees
The intervention of AI has brought about a radical change in the mindset of employees concerning their employment prospects and skill development. In the present era, individuals are likely to hold twice as many jobs throughout their careers compared to fifteen years ago, reflecting the growing urgency to secure stable employment amid the ongoing evolution of AI. It is projected that by 2030, nearly 70% of the skill sets driving the current workforce landscape will undergo transformation, with AI serving as the primary catalyst, according to LinkedIn’s Work Change Report, 2025. This projection has further heightened concerns among employees about the security of their future employment, compelling them to continuously upskill to remain relevant in the job market. Notably, since 2022, there has been a 140% increase in LinkedIn members adding new skills to their profiles, underscoring the growing importance of skill enhancement for salary growth and career progression.
Top In-Demand Skills for 2025
In the current era of constant workplace transformation driven by artificial intelligence, which predominantly challenges the technical competencies of the workforce, it has become crucial for professionals to acquire unique skills that cannot be easily replaced by AI. The recently published Skills on the Rise 2025 List by LinkedIn outlines fifteen key skills that employees and graduates should cultivate to strengthen their position and dominate the evolving employment landscape.
Those are
- Creativity & Innovation
- Code Review
- Problem solving
- Pre-Screening
- Strategic Thinking
- Communication
- Adaptability
- Large Language Models
- AI -Literacy
- Debugging
- Customer Engagement
- Statistical Data Analysis
- Prompt Engineering
- Market Analysis
- Stakeholder Management
Soft skills such as creativity and innovation, problem-solving, strategic thinking, communication, and adaptability will no longer be considered an added advantage but will become fundamental requirements across industries and job roles. As businesses increasingly seek to foster strong client relationships, there is a growing demand for candidates who demonstrate exceptional customer engagement and stakeholder management abilities. These skills will serve as key differentiators during a Candidate’s recruitment process.
AI literacy is emerging as a mandatory competency and an additional factor that distinguishes candidates who can deliver results efficiently without compromising on quality. In addition, technical skills such as prompt engineering and expertise in Large Language Models (LLMs) are gaining prominence, leading to an expansion of job roles and a broader set of selection criteria during the hiring process.
Coping with Change: The Way Forward
Artificial intelligence has permeated all industries and most job functions, becoming an indispensable facilitator in the modern workplace. As a result, it is no longer feasible for employees to avoid AI; instead, they must embrace and integrate it into their daily routines. Developing skills in AI enables employees to generate innovative ideas and implement them efficiently to achieve improved outcomes. This process of upskilling and adopting new approaches ultimately contributes to their career advancement, fostering both skill development and salary growth.
Employees who prioritise the development of soft skills alongside artificial intelligence competencies are likely to experience holistic career growth, accompanied by better promotion prospects and salary increments. New job roles are emerging across industries, with AI skills becoming a fundamental requirement. Embracing technological advancements and committing to ongoing upskilling will be essential in overcoming the critical challenges of the future world of work.
