Agnes Gatkowska, Head of HR, MHR
AI is hard to escape. It dominates headlines, workplace strategy meetings and every LinkedIn post about the future of work. Conversations around how quickly organisations can adopt it, where can efficiencies be found, and which roles will look completely different because of AI are everywhere.
This is especially prevalent for younger employees first entering the workplace, as the roles they’re stepping into are evolving as quickly as the tools themselves, reshaping expectations around what “entry-level” looks like.
The race to keep up
Tasks once seen as the starting point for early-career employees such as research, admin, reporting or basic analysis, can now be completed in seconds with the help of AI tools. At the same time, demand for AI skills in UK tech job listings has risen by 62% year-on-year.
In many ways, AI has accelerated expectations across the board. Everything moves faster now, leaving little room for the slower process of building confidence, judgement and experience over time. And that’s, arguably, the root of the problem. In the urgency to keep pace with change, the softer skills that help employees navigate pressure or communicate effectively can easily receive less attention.
For entry-level employees, particularly those entering highly technical environments, that creates a difficult balancing act. There’s increasing pressure to demonstrate technical competence, while also trying to develop the confidence or the emotional intelligence needed to succeed in modern workplaces. And as AI continues to reshape how we work, those human capabilities are becoming more important, not less. Because while technology may speed up tasks, it can’t replace the qualities that help people adapt and grow through change.
Soft skills as the differentiator
This shift is forcing organisations to rethink what’s really needed in an AI-driven workplace. Technical expertise alone isn’t the clearest indicator of success. The employees who thrive are often the ones who communicate well, collaborate effectively and adapt quickly to change.
That matters because modern workplaces are more fast-paced and interconnected than ever before. Skills like resilience, self-awareness and adaptability are central to how teams operate. Our research shows that 73% of UK business leaders now prioritise agility over long-term planning, highlighting how important adaptability has become in today’s workplace.
For entry-level employees, this is key. AI can automate tasks and support productivity, but it can’t teach someone how to navigate difficult conversations or work effectively with others. Those are deeply human skills.
Development needs to evolve alongside technology
The good news is these skills can be developed, but only if organisations create environments that actively support continuous learning and growth. That means thinking beyond technical upskilling alone. In fast-changing industries, learning cannot be treated as a one-off exercise during onboarding; it needs to become part of everyday working culture. And it’s something that’s crucial in hybrid and remote environments, where younger employees may have fewer opportunities to learn through observation or informal day-to-day interactions.
As ways of working evolve, organisations need to think carefully about how those learning experiences are recreated and supported digitally, rather than assuming development happens naturally on its own. Technology has a role to play here too. Not by replacing human development, but by helping organisations create more connected, continuous learning experiences that fit around modern ways of working.
The future of work is still human
The conversations around AI will only get bigger as organisations continue trying to understand what the future of work should look like. But, if we’re not careful, there’s a risk of overlooking the qualities that have always helped people succeed in the first place.
While AI may continue reshaping the technical side of work, the human side still matters. In many cases, it’s the part organisations must value most. The focus now should be on creating environments where people can learn, adapt and work well together alongside rapidly evolving technology.
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