In today’s AI-driven world, hiring managers face a tough question: should they prioritize soft skills or AI skills when building their teams? As automation and artificial intelligence reshape nearly every job, the line between technical expertise and human adaptability becomes increasingly blurred.
While AI skills like data analysis, prompt engineering, or automation design are in high demand, employers are rediscovering the irreplaceable value of soft skills such as emotional intelligence, problem-solving, and communication. The real challenge is finding the right balance between both.
According to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025, 44% of workers’ core skills are expected to change within five years. Yet, the same report ranks empathy, leadership, and adaptability among the top five skills of the future. So, what really matters when hiring in 2025 and beyond? Let’s find out.
What Are Soft Skills and Why Are They Still So Important?
Soft skills refer to the interpersonal, emotional, and behavioral abilities that allow people to collaborate, adapt, and lead effectively. They define how someone works rather than what they know.
In a world filled with automation, these skills are becoming the human differentiator. Machines can process data, but they can’t build trust, inspire teams, or show empathy.
Examples of soft skills that matter most today:
Emotional intelligence and active listening
Adaptability and creative problem-solving
Team collaboration and cross-cultural communication
Leadership and resilience under pressure
A LinkedIn study revealed that 92% of recruiters consider soft skills as important or more important than technical skills. Companies investing in emotional intelligence training see 37% higher productivity and 31% lower turnover, proving that human touch drives long-term success.
What Exactly Are AI Skills, and Why Are They in Such High Demand?
AI skills involve understanding, developing, or applying artificial intelligence tools and technologies. They are essential for navigating modern digital workflows and staying competitive in data-driven industries.
From marketing to finance, nearly every sector now demands employees who can interpret AI outputs, use machine learning tools, or automate repetitive tasks efficiently.
Key AI skills employers look for in 2025 include:
Data literacy and prompt engineering
Understanding of machine learning and automation tools
AI-assisted decision-making
Ethical AI awareness and bias management
According to IBM’s Global AI Adoption Index 2024, 42% of organizations have already adopted AI tools, and another 40% are actively exploring them. The result? Employees who master AI skills are becoming invaluable assets not because they replace humans, but because they amplify human intelligence.
Soft Skills vs. AI Skills: Which One Should You Prioritize When Hiring?
The short answer: both but not equally in every role.
When hiring, the balance depends on context. For technical positions, AI skills are essential. But for leadership, client relations, and innovation roles, soft skills outweigh pure technical expertise. The smartest hiring strategies combine both through hybrid profiles.
Here’s what the best hiring mix looks like:
Technical roles (e.g., AI engineer): 70% AI skills, 30% soft skills
Managerial roles (e.g., project leader): 60% soft skills, 40% AI literacy
Creative and people-facing roles: 80% soft skills, 20% tech adaptability
Breedj, a leader in ethical global recruitment, applies this principle by evaluating candidates holistically considering not only their digital capabilities but also their emotional and collaborative intelligence. This human-tech balance allows companies to build resilient, future-ready teams.
How Does Breedj Integrate Soft Skills and AI Skills in Recruitment?
Breedj’s recruitment model is built on one belief: technology should empower people, not replace them.
To achieve that, Breedj combines AI-powered hiring tools with human-driven evaluation. This hybrid approach ensures candidates are not only technically qualified but also emotionally equipped for global collaboration.
Breedj’s holistic hiring process includes:
AI-assisted matching to identify skill alignment efficiently.
Soft skill assessments based on behavioral interviews and real-life scenarios.
Cross-cultural readiness training to enhance global collaboration.
Continuous learning programs to help employees stay relevant in the AI era.
This dual approach allows companies to find candidates who are not just capable of using AI but also capable of leading with empathy and integrity.
Why the Future of Work Belongs to Those Who Combine Both
The workplaces of tomorrow will not be dominated by AI experts or empathetic leaders alone but by professionals who blend both worlds.
Soft skills provide the foundation for creativity, leadership, and adaptability, while AI skills enhance efficiency, precision, and data-driven decision-making. Together, they form the DNA of the “augmented employee” someone who uses technology to amplify human potential.
According to PwC’s “Workforce of the Future” study:
74% of workers are ready to learn new AI-related skills.
Yet, 61% of CEOs believe empathy and leadership are still the hardest qualities to find.
That’s why the most successful organizations will focus on integrated skill development, where technical training and emotional intelligence evolve side by side.
The Real Competitive Edge Is Human
In the hiring world of 2025 and beyond, soft skills and AI skills are not competitors they’re complementary forces. The best professionals will be those who use technology to enhance their human capabilities, not replace them.
Breedj is leading this transition by fostering a holistic workforce model where empathy meets innovation and technology serves humanity. In doing so, it’s redefining what it means to be employable in the digital age.
👉 Ready to build teams that combine human intelligence with AI excellence?
Discover how Breedj helps organizations recruit ethically, globally, and intelligently at www.breedj.com
