Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming workplaces across the globe, reshaping industries and changing the nature of jobs. As automation expands into more sectors, concerns over job displacement are growing alongside new opportunities created by emerging technologies. However, a recent study suggests that leadership, emotional understanding, and people-management skills are unlikely to be fully replaced by AI within the next decade.
The findings come from a study conducted by US-based AI company GoHumanize, which examined how automation may impact the global workforce over the next 10 years.
According to the research, nearly 25 percent of jobs worldwide could become automated during the coming decade. While AI systems are already capable of writing code, analyzing data, generating content, and handling administrative tasks, they still struggle to replicate uniquely human qualities such as empathy, judgment, emotional intelligence, and relationship-building.
Researchers evaluated workplace skills based on employer demand, job advertisement trends, and the likelihood of automation replacing those abilities. The results revealed that leadership and social interaction skills remain among the safest from AI disruption.
Leadership ranked as the most secure skill category. Although researchers estimate that around 31 percent of leadership-related tasks could eventually be automated, the core human aspects of leadership remain beyond the reach of machines. As a result, leadership received a “human dependency score” of 93 out of 100. The study highlighted that roles such as chief executives, academic leaders, military officers, and senior managers rely heavily on trust-building, emotional awareness, and situational understanding.
Teamwork and collaboration secured the second position on the list. Around four million job postings currently emphasize collaborative abilities as a major qualification. Researchers noted that effective teamwork goes far beyond task-sharing, involving emotional awareness, adaptability in communication, personality management, and long-term trust-building. Due to these complex human interactions, teamwork received a human dependency score of 79 out of 100.
Negotiation skills ranked third, appearing in approximately 2.8 million job advertisements worldwide. Although AI can assist with research, preparation, and data analysis, successful negotiation still depends largely on human instincts. Understanding body language, interpreting tone of voice, building trust, and reacting to emotional shifts during conversations remain areas where humans significantly outperform machines. Negotiation earned a human dependency score of 89 out of 100.
The study also identified coaching and mentoring as relatively safe professions in the age of AI. These skills are especially valuable in leadership, education, sports, and human resource management. Researchers emphasized that understanding why someone is struggling often requires emotional insight rather than simple data analysis. Distinguishing between a lack of knowledge and a lack of confidence or emotional support remains difficult for AI systems.
Public speaking was also listed among the top five safest skills. The report stated that confidence, personality, and credibility in front of an audience are qualities that machines still cannot fully imitate. Nearly 2.5 million job advertisements currently prioritize communication and public speaking abilities.
Other skills featured in the top 10 safest categories include organizational leadership, people management, emotional intelligence, interpersonal communication, and change management.
Commenting on the findings, the founder of GoHumanize said modern education systems may still be prioritizing the wrong areas for long-term career security. According to the study, universities continue to focus heavily on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education, even though many technology-driven roles are becoming increasingly automated.
