The workplace of 2026 will look very different from today. With AI expected to create 170 million new jobs globally by 2030 while displacing 92 million roles, professionals must evolve to survive - and thrive.

According to the World Economic Forum, 39% of core skills will change by 2030. This isn’t just about keeping up - it’s about future-proofing your career. Our expert speakers share the universal skills that will define professional success in 2026, no matter your industry.

AI Literacy – The New Basic Requirement

• By 2026, AI literacy will be as fundamental as computer skills were in the 1990s, enabling professionals to collaborate effectively with the technology shaping nearly every role.
• Seth Godin, marketing visionary and bestselling author, warns: “The question isn’t whether AI will change your job—it’s whether you’ll be the one using AI to do your job better, or whether someone who does will be doing your job instead.”
• Zack Kass, AI futurist and former Head of Go-To-Market at OpenAI, adds: “AI literacy is knowing how to direct these tools, recognize their blind spots, and integrate them into workflows that amplify—not replace—your value.”

Critical Thinking in an Information-Saturated World

• Analytical thinking tops the World Economic Forum’s skills list.
• Annie Duke, decision strategist and author of Thinking in Bets, says: “In a world drowning in data, success belongs to those who can filter noise from signal and make sound choices under uncertainty.”
• Amy Edmondson, Harvard Business School professor, emphasizes: “Critical thinking means asking the right questions, testing assumptions, and making evidence-based decisions—skills AI can’t replicate.”
• The ability to evaluate complex problems objectively ensures that AI-driven outputs are applied with human judgment and strategic clarity.

Emotional Intelligence – The Irreplaceable Human Advantage

• As automation takes over routine tasks, emotional intelligence becomes a key differentiator.
• Brené Brown, researcher on vulnerability and courage, explains: “The professionals who will thrive are those who can navigate complexity with empathy, foster trust in hybrid teams, and lead through uncertainty.”
• Sara Ross, neuroscience-based leadership expert, adds: “Emotional intelligence helps you manage stress, interpret others accurately, and maintain performance under pressure.”
• In remote and hybrid workplaces, EQ is what powers collaboration, conflict resolution, and long-term influence.

Adaptability – Thriving in Constant Change

• With the half-life of skills shrinking, adaptability is the mindset that keeps professionals relevant as technology and industries evolve.
• Daniel Pink, author of Drive, describes adaptability as “cognitive agility”—the ability to shift mental frameworks and find opportunity in disruption.
• Mark Denton, global leadership and change expert, notes: “True adaptability blends resilience with foresight—it’s anticipating change, not just reacting to it.”

Data Literacy – Making Sense of Information Overload

• By 2026, interpreting and communicating data will be a baseline expectation, not a specialist skill.
• Dorie Clark, marketing strategist and author, says: “In every field—from healthcare to finance—your ability to interpret and act on data will determine your relevance.”
• Sol Rashidi, corporate AI and data transformation leader, adds: “Data literacy is less about spreadsheets and more about asking the right questions, spotting anomalies, and turning insights into strategic action that has clear outcomes.”

The first five skills - AI literacy, critical thinking, emotional intelligence, adaptability, and data literacy form the foundation of success in 2026. In Part 2, we’ll explore five more capabilities every professional will need, from data literacy to leadership without authority.

Are any of these themes top of mind in your organization? If so, Contact Us today and let’s talk about potential speakers who can elevate these skills across your teams.