In a surprising shift for the tech industry, Salesforce's Chief Futures Officer, Peter Schwartz, has declared empathy, not coding, as the most crucial skill for employees in the age of artificial intelligence. This perspective challenges traditional views on essential tech competencies, highlighting the growing importance of human collaboration and understanding as AI handles more routine tasks.

The Rise of Empathy in the AI Era

Peter Schwartz, speaking at the ATxSummit in Singapore, emphasized that while AI is rapidly advancing and taking over technical coding functions, the ability to connect and collaborate with others remains paramount. He noted that parents often ask him if their children should focus on coding, to which he advises, "learn how to work with others."

• Empathy is defined as the capacity to understand and relate to fellow human beings, particularly coworkers.
• It fosters collaboration and creative teamwork, skills that AI cannot replicate.
• Schwartz believes that AI will increasingly manage routine tasks, making human-centric skills more valuable.

AI's Impact on Coding Productivity

Salesforce has already witnessed a significant transformation in its coding processes due to AI. CEO Marc Benioff previously indicated that the company might reduce software engineer hires in 2025, attributing this to AI's ability to boost coder productivity.

• Salesforce has seen a "massive increase in productivity" among its coders, who now utilize AI tools for faster and more creative coding.
• Google's CEO, Sundar Pichai, reported that over a quarter of the company's new code is generated by AI.
• The rise of AI in coding has led to a five-year low in software engineer job postings on Indeed, as AI takes on more technical coding tasks.

Beyond Technical Skills

While some tech leaders still advocate for strong foundational technical knowledge, there's a growing consensus on the importance of soft skills. Mark Zuckerberg, for instance, has highlighted critical thinking and core values as essential qualities in job candidates.

• The ability to "go deep and do one thing really well" demonstrates a candidate's capacity for learning.
• As AI handles more technical aspects, human skills like critical thinking, problem-solving, and empathy become differentiators.

Schwartz acknowledges that measuring empathy is challenging, but it remains a key quality he seeks in potential hires. He looks for individuals who demonstrate strong teamwork capabilities and a collaborative spirit, believing these traits are fundamental to success in an AI-driven workplace.