At the Abu Dhabi Global AI Summit, corporate leaders emphasized that the future of work demands a shift in focus from technical skills to human-centric abilities. Ahmed Al Shamsi, CEO of Emirates Foundation, highlighted the limitations of traditional curriculums in keeping pace with rapid technological advancements. “Curriculums can’t catch up with technology — by the time something is approved, the world has moved ahead,” he stated. Instead, Al Shamsi urged educators and policymakers to prioritize fostering adaptability, creativity, and critical thinking in the youth.
Naria Santa Lucia, General Manager at Microsoft Elevate, echoed this sentiment, asserting that human skills such as communication, teamwork, and empathy will remain irreplaceable in the AI-driven future. “Technology can learn to code faster than we do, but it can’t connect or imagine the way humans can,” she remarked.
The rise of automation has already transformed the workforce landscape, as noted by IBM’s Justina Nixon-Saintil. Entry-level tasks like data summarization and report preparation are increasingly automated, necessitating a rethinking of internships and on-the-job training. Lucia added that career progression is no longer linear, with lateral moves and reskilling becoming essential components of professional growth.
Al Shamsi concluded by stressing the importance of cultivating problem solvers and communicators rather than over-specializing in technical fields. “We don’t need everyone to be a data scientist,” he said. “We need people who can use these tools wisely.” The summit underscored the urgent need for educational systems to evolve, preparing the next generation not just for the jobs of today, but for the challenges of tomorrow.