AI is transforming the job industry, and eliminating some roles in the process. But Jamie Dimon says soft skills will be more important than ever in the AI era.
Last weekend, JPMorgan Chase’s CEO told Fox News’ Sunday Morning Futures that he doesn’t believe AI will lead to dramatic cuts in the labor force within the next year, but “it will eliminate jobs.”
“My advice to people would be critical thinking, learn skills, learn your EQ [emotional quotient], learn how to be good in a meeting, how to communicate, how to write. You’ll have plenty of jobs,” Dimon said.
He added that rapid AI implementation may disrupt some workers faster than it will take to retrain them, but that the government and companies need to help smooth the transition. He floated ideas for how to help workers in the AI age, including relocation and income assistance.
“The next job may be a better job, but they have to learn how to do the job,” Dimon said. “You can earn quite a bit of money with skills.”
Since 2023, employers have explicitly cited artificial intelligence for more than 70,000 announced job cuts as they automate grunt work and reorganize teams around new tools. As companies continue to adopt the tech, CEOs are doubling down on the importance of soft skills.
In late November, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said that as AI takes over more analytical and technical tasks, emotional intelligence and empathy are becoming increasingly important.
“IQ has a place, but it’s not the only thing that’s needed in the world,” Nadella said on an episode of Axel Springer CEO Mathias Döpfner’s MD Meets podcast.
IBM CEO Ginni Rometty told Fortune in 2023 that when generative AI fully integrates into the workforce, it will put a premium on soft skills like collaboration, judgment, and critical thinking. This kind of adaptability is what humans do best, and can’t be taught with a degree, she added.
“Those are where people can upskill [when] generative AI really redefines what skills are needed for any role—despite where you went to college or what expertise you have going into it.”
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