As artificial intelligence becomes deeply embedded in our daily work, we’re entering an unprecedented era of human-machine partnership that will redefine how we work, innovate, and create value.
 
AI is transforming the workplace. Are you developing the skills to thrive alongside it?

The Shift is Already Here

Across our portfolio companies and the broader tech ecosystem, AI adoption in the workplace is increasing. In the U.S., studies estimate that around 80% of workers will see AI affect at least 10% of their tasks, with initial 2025 data indicating that AI tools are already in active use for at least 25% of tasks in 36% of occupations.
 
This is a story about augmentation and collaboration. The most successful organizations aren’t those deploying the most AI, they’re the ones creating the most effective partnerships between human ingenuity and machine capability.

From Creation to Curation: The New Nature of Work 

One of the most significant shifts I’m observing is the move from creation to curation and direction. Workers using AI are spending less time creating content from scratch and more time reviewing, refining, and directing AI-generated outputs. This fundamentally changes the skills required for many roles.
 
When HP Tech Ventures evaluates startups, we’re no longer just looking at founders who can build everything themselves. We’re looking for entrepreneurs who can orchestrate and who understand how to leverage AI tools and synthesize AI-generated insights into strategic decisions. It’s a different skill set entirely.

The Skills That Will Define Success

Here are the critical capabilities we all need to develop:

1. AI Literacy and Prompt Engineering
   
   You don’t need to be a programmer, but you absolutely need to understand how AI works, its capabilities, and its limitations. This includes:

• Understanding Large Language Models (LLMs) and their applications
• Mastering prompt engineering: crafting precise inputs to optimize AI outputs
• Recognizing when AI excels and when human judgment is non-negotiable
• Understanding biases, data privacy concerns, and ethical considerations

Prompt engineering is becoming as fundamental as digital literacy was a decade ago. It’s the interface between human intent and machine execution.

2. Critical Thinking and Judgment
 
As AI handles more data processing and pattern recognition, human judgment becomes even more valuable. The ability to:

• Evaluate AI-generated insights for accuracy and relevance
• Provide context that machines cannot understand
• Make nuanced decisions that require cultural awareness and empathy
• Question assumptions and think strategically about AI recommendations

3. Adaptability and Continuous Learning
 
Here’s a stark reality: 76% of employees believe AI will create entirely new skills that don’t yet exist. Continuous learning is the skill.
 
The most successful professionals I’m working with treat learning as a daily practice. They’re tracking thought leaders, learning about the technology, and experimenting with new AI tools as they emerge. At HP, we’re seeing this reflected in how quickly teams adapt to new technologies when they’ve cultivated a learning mindset.

4. Interpersonal and Collaboration Skills
 
This might seem counterintuitive, but as AI takes over information-processing tasks, interpersonal skills become even more critical. Research suggests that key human competencies are shifting from information-processing skills to interpersonal and organizational capabilities.
 
 Why? Because AI can analyze data, but it can’t:

• Build trust with stakeholders
• Navigate complex organizational dynamics
• Inspire teams during uncertainty
• Facilitate meaningful human connections
• Lead with empathy and emotional intelligence

These uniquely human capabilities are becoming the primary differentiators.

5. Creative Problem-Solving and Innovation
 
While AI excels at optimization and pattern recognition, human creativity remains indispensable. The ability to:

• Ask outlandish questions and free your mind
• Identify problems that AI hasn’t been trained to see
• Combine insights from disparate domains in novel ways
• Imagine entirely new applications of existing technologies

We need to adopt long-term, futuristic thinking. AI can help us get there faster, but it’s human imagination that defines where we’re going.

6. Data Interpretation and Storytelling
 
Insights are useless if they can’t be shared. A critical emerging skill is distilling AI-driven information into clear, actionable narratives that stakeholders can understand and act upon.
 
This means:

• Translating complex AI outputs into business language
• Creating compelling visualizations of data insights
• Communicating uncertainty and confidence levels appropriately
• Bridging technical and non-technical audiences

The founders who succeed aren’t necessarily those with the best technology. They’re the ones who can tell the most compelling story about what that technology means.

7. Ethical AI Oversight and Governance
 
As AI takes on more responsibility, someone needs to ensure it’s being used responsibly. This includes:

• Understanding algorithmic bias and fairness concerns
• Ensuring transparency in AI decision-making
• Protecting privacy and data security
• Maintaining human oversight for high-stakes decisions
• Advocating for responsible AI development and deployment

This is a business imperative. Companies that get this wrong will face significant consequences.

How Can You Start Building These Skills Today?

Experiment Fearlessly 
Start using AI tools in your daily work. ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini, Claude — they’re all available now. The best way to learn is by doing. Learn what works, what doesn’t, and why.
 
Invest in Structured Learning 
Platforms like Salesforce’s Trailhead offer engaging, AI-powered learning paths. Identify skills gaps and fill them systematically.
 
Stay Curious 
Subscribe to technology newsletters, follow thought leaders, and monitor startup activity. I personally stay on top of trends by reading the latest tech news, speaking with startups, VCs and industry experts, and tracking venture investing patterns. Build your own trend-watching system.
 
Build a Learning Community 
Connect with others who are navigating this transformation. Share insights, challenges, and strategies. The pace of change is too fast for anyone to figure out alone.
 
Embrace the Uncomfortable 
The shift to AI-augmented work will feel awkward at first. That’s normal. Push through the discomfort. The companies and individuals who adapt fastest will have enormous advantages.

The Future Belongs to Orchestrators

The most valuable professionals over the next five years will be the orchestrators, the people who can seamlessly coordinate human creativity, AI capabilities, and strategic objectives.
 
They’ll be the ones who can envision what’s possible with AI assistance, direct AI tools toward meaningful problems, synthesize machine insights with human wisdom, lead teams through this transformation with empathy, and create value that neither humans nor machines could achieve alone. 
 
The companies that will thrive will be those building cultures where humans and AI work together, where technology complements human potential rather than replacing it.
 
So ask yourself: Which of these seven skills will you start developing this week? Because the choice isn’t whether to adapt to an AI-driven workplace — it’s whether you’ll lead the adaptation or follow it.