McKinsey Says 59% of Skills Face Automation as Problem-Solving and Leadership Rise

⬤ McKinsey Global Institute released findings showing that artificial intelligence is set to reshape, rather than erase, the majority of human skills as automation accelerates across industries. The firm's Skill Change Index highlights how capabilities such as negotiation, leadership, and problem solving will become increasingly essential as workers collaborate more closely with AI systems.

⬤ The Skill Change Index shows exposure to automation varies widely across skill categories, with digital skills and information-processing tasks showing higher susceptibility to change. Skills like inventory management, invoicing, customer relations, and communication fall into the mid-to-high range of expected transformation. Meanwhile, competencies such as basic negotiation and manual handling appear in the lower-exposure range. Organizations adopting AI at scale will place greater emphasis on adaptability, communication, and advanced cognitive abilities.

⬤ In early-scenario projections, top-quartile skills could see automation exposure levels as high as 59%, while the midpoint scenario suggests overall exposure closer to 23–33%. Leadership, management, coaching, and quality assurance appear in lower or mid-range categories, indicating these capabilities will retain strong human relevance despite rising automation. This aligns with hiring patterns in sectors rapidly deploying AI, where demand continues to grow for roles focused on oversight, creative judgment, and complex decision-making.

⬤ The findings point to a broader realignment in how organizations may value and deploy human talent as AI adoption accelerates. An increased focus on creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving could influence training strategies, compensation structures, and long-term workforce planning. As automation becomes more embedded in business processes globally, the shifting skill landscape may play a critical role in shaping corporate competitiveness and the evolving relationship between human workers and intelligent systems.