Most people will need to learn to work alongside AI to future-proof their careers, according to a top AI professor. Dr Evy Sakellariou, Associate Professor and Gen AI Innovation lead for Kingston University's Foresight, Creativity and Future of Work Research Hub, suggests the era of 'human-led AI' is ending. Instead, teenagers entering the workforce may soon help their bosses keep up with AI.
Fusion Skills Become Essential
Research by Kingston University, in partnership with Publicis Media UK, identifies three 'fusion skills' as critical for working effectively with AI systems. These include smart AI questioning—asking better questions for more useful outputs; contextual AI training—teaching AI how a business operates; and critical human judgement—knowing when to rely on AI and when to intervene.
Without these skills, individual productivity could fall by 24.6%. The cost of inaction is set to almost double by 2030, pressuring companies to rethink who drives profit.
Younger Workers as AI Guides
Younger, AI-savvy workers may be key to bridging a growing skills gap among senior staff, according to the study. Sonya Barlow, career expert and author of The New Rules of Networking, said: "Many see AI as a challenge, but it can be the great equaliser – everyone is starting from point zero. AI is also reshaping workplace dynamics. Younger professionals are often more native to the digital landscape, meaning they are increasingly the ones experimenting with tools, testing use cases and sharing what works."
She added: "In many organisations, that is creating a shift where learning flows both ways, with junior employees helping to upskill more senior colleagues."
Industry Leaders Call for Investment
Niel Bornman, CEO of Publicis Connected Media UK, said: "AI is changing how advertising works, that's clear, but people are still our biggest advantage. It's human creativity, collaboration and judgement that give our industry its economic value and turn technology into something useful. If we want AI to make a genuine difference, we have to invest in those people working alongside it. That isn't optional, it's essential if we want a strong, competitive industry that today's workforce believes in and the next generation wants to be part of."
Dr Sakellariou said: "We're no longer talking about human-led AI, but how people can work effectively alongside machines. To do this, all employees will need to develop these advanced fusion skills alongside core human-centric skills. Our work with sector leaders revealed real enthusiasm for these technologies, but also uncertainty about how best to upskill the workforce."
Recommendations for the Future
The research sets out recommendations including shifting to skills-first hiring and promotion pathways, investing in lifelong learning and reskilling, and prioritising fusion skills development for senior leaders and middle managers so they can effectively reshape and adapt their business.
Barlow concluded: "The professionals who progress will be those open to exploring AI in their day-to-day work and taking initiative to apply it in practical ways."
