T he digital revolution is rapidly transforming industries, workplaces and the very nature of work itself. Powered by advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), robotics and other cutting-edge technologies, this shift is reshaping the skills needed to succeed in today’s business environment. For MBA students, alumni, employers and recruiters understanding this transformation is not merely a way to stay competitive – it is a strategic necessity. Technology does not simply automate tasks; it redefines roles, reshapes industries and creates new opportunities. For MBA students and alumni, navigating this landscape requires adaptability and a deep understanding of the interplay between human and technological capabilities. Employers and recruiters, on the other hand, face the pressing challenge of future-proofing their organisations. To remain competitive, they must adopt strategic approaches to hiring, training and workforce planning that take into account the dynamic relationship between human and technological skills. In this fast-evolving environment, anticipating and responding to workforce needs is no longer optional – it’s essential. Rethinking human-tech interaction The dynamic and co-evolving nature of human and technological skills challenges traditional perspectives. Historically, academic research has often framed humans as passive users of technology, while technologies were treated as static tools. This view overlooks the co-creative and co-evolutionary relationship between humans and advanced technologies. Take generative AI as an example. Workers now interact with tools such as ChatGPT, Claude, Copilot and Gemini to perform tasks that were unimaginable just a few years ago. Using these tools requires new skills, such as prompt engineering, critical analysis, synthesising diverse sources of evidence and identifying bias or errors. Simultaneously, the way people use such tools provides feedback that drives the tools’ development, resulting in a continuous cycle of mutual adaptation. This evolving dynamic – where technology advances in response to human interaction and vice versa – remains underexplored. Understanding this process is crucial for building a workforce that thrives alongside technological innovation. The TechConnect project, coordinated by Trinity College Dublin and funded by the EU, offers groundbreaking insights into this relationship. Its focus on human-tech skill complementarity provides a conceptual framework for understanding how human skills and technology co-evolve. TechConnect brings together expertise from nine leading organisations: Trinity College Dublin; Mälardalen University in Sweden; Polytechnic University of Madrid; Utrecht University in the Netherlands; BluSpecs digital innovation consultancy; Tallaght University Hospital, Ireland; Västerås Hospital, Sweden; Ramon y Cajal University Hospital, Spain; and University Medical Centre Utrecht, the Netherlands.
HUMAN + TECH = THE FUTURE OF WORK As technology evolves, it raises critical questions such as how new tools are influencing pre‑existing skillsets and how organisations can harness technology while empowering their workforce. Here, Trinity Business School’s Na Fu examines the role that MBA programmes can play in preparing leaders to excel in this complex and demanding future
50 Ambition • ISSUE 2 • 2025
Made with FlippingBook - Share PDF online