As artificial intelligence becomes more integrated into daily work routines, professionals are being urged to focus on the human capabilities that AI cannot replicate. Francisco Tonarely, a Miami-based Business Development Representative in enterprise technology, emphasizes that adaptability, judgment, curiosity, communication, and relationship-building are becoming increasingly vital in an AI-supported workplace. He argues that while AI can enhance productivity, it cannot replace the context, judgment, and interpersonal understanding that humans provide.
"The goal should not be to compete with AI at the things it can do faster," Tonarely said. "The opportunity is to become better at the things that still require context, judgment, communication, and understanding other people."
Recent research supports this view. Deloitte's 2026 Global Human Capital Trends report, conducted with Oxford Economics and based on responses from over 9,000 business and HR leaders across 89 countries, found that 85% of leaders consider developing organizational and workforce adaptability critical, yet only 7% believe their organizations are leading in helping workers continuously grow and adapt.
Adaptability is now a daily necessity as AI changes tools and job expectations. Deloitte's research reveals that one-third of workers experienced 15 major changes in the past year, yet only 27% said their organizations managed change effectively. Tonarely notes that adaptability requires discipline—not chasing every new trend but being open to better ways of working. "You cannot change direction every time something new gets attention," he said. "At the same time, you cannot become so attached to the way you have always worked that you stop noticing when there is a better way."
Curiosity is another key skill, especially as AI provides quick answers. Tonarely stresses that asking the right questions is more important than ever. "The fact that you can get an answer quickly does not mean you should stop asking questions," he said. Deloitte's January 2026 study of 1,394 employees also identified curiosity as a crucial human capability for high-performing teams, along with resilience and emotional intelligence.
Judgment remains essential, as AI can suggest responses but cannot decide what is appropriate in context. Deloitte's research indicates that organizations taking a human-centered approach to AI are more likely to achieve returns exceeding expectations. "Good judgment comes from understanding the situation, not just having information," Tonarely explained.
Communication is more important when information is easier to produce. AI can generate reports and emails, but effective communication requires understanding the audience. Tonarely, who works in enterprise technology sales, notes that conversations often involve different priorities and technical levels. "You can have all the information in the world and still communicate it poorly," he said.
Relationship-building cannot be automated. AI can help prepare for meetings and follow-ups, but trust is built through consistent, personal interactions. "Technology can help you prepare, but it cannot make somebody trust you," Tonarely said. He believes AI should create more opportunities for meaningful interaction, not just increased outreach volume.
The development of AI skills and human skills should go hand in hand. Deloitte found that only 6% of leaders are making progress in designing effective human-AI interactions, and 65% believe their culture needs significant change. Tonarely encourages individuals to take responsibility for their own development, experimenting with AI while strengthening their judgment, communication, and adaptability.
As AI becomes more ordinary, these human skills may become less visible but more important. Tonarely concludes, "The people who do well are not necessarily going to be the ones who resist AI or the ones who depend on it for everything. I think it will be the people who learn how to use it while continuing to develop their own judgment, communication, adaptability, and relationships."
