Critical Thinking and Judgment Top Skills for Entry-Level Workers Amidst AI Advancements

IBM's Chief Talent Officer Aparna Nair emphasizes that in the age of AI, entry-level workers need to focus on developing two critical skills: critical thinking and judgment. According to an IBM survey of 1,500 chief human resources officers and 8,800 employees worldwide, 57% of CHROs consider critical thinking an important skill, while only 49% of employees agree.

The survey also found that approximately 48% of CHROs consider judgment under uncertainty and ambiguity an important skill, compared to just 29% of employees. Nair notes that traditionally, people built judgment through doing the work, but with AI taking over some tasks, humans need to learn how to validate AI's inputs.

To demonstrate critical thinking and judgment skills, experts recommend writing LinkedIn posts sharing thoughts on industry topics or explaining thought processes in interviews or take-home assessments. Bonnie Dilber, senior manager of talent acquisition at Zapier, advises against relying solely on AI for decision-making, as it can hinder foundational skill-building and expertise.

Nair adds that thinking critically and discerning quality are skills that will endure even as technical skills become more or less in-demand. She suggests being in a mindset where workers continuously shape and build new skills to stay ahead in the job market.