For years, discussions about artificial intelligence have focused on technology. Which models are the most powerful? Which jobs are at risk? Which industries will be disrupted first?
At Nexus, a panel dedicated to recruiting and upskilling in the AI era reached a different conclusion. The future of work may not be defined by who has access to artificial intelligence. It may be defined by who knows how to use it.
More importantly, it may be defined by who can still think independently when everyone has access to the same tools. “Critical thinking,” said Fateh Amroune, adjunct professor of AI at HEC Liège Luxembourg, “is probably the most important skill.” His argument was simple. Future generations will be exposed to an unprecedented volume of information, content, recommendations and automated outputs. The ability to question, analyse and challenge that information will become increasingly valuable.
AI is becoming invisible
One of the most striking observations came from Amroune’s prediction that society may soon stop talking about artificial intelligence altogether. “Nobody talks about electricity anymore,” he said. AI, he argued, is likely to follow the same path. Rather than existing as a standalone technology, it will become embedded in virtually every product, process and business function.
That evolution is already visible. Startups increasingly integrate AI into their products by default. Employees use AI-powered tools as part of their daily workflow. Universities and training institutions are redesigning programmes to incorporate AI-related competencies. The technology itself is becoming less remarkable. The ability to create value with it is becoming more important.
Jobs are changing
The discussion also highlighted the growing impact of AI on employment. Meagan Loyst, founder and CEO of Gen Z VCs, pointed to rising challenges for young professionals entering the workforce. Entry-level positions, traditionally used as gateways into professional careers, are among the first roles being reshaped by automation.
At the same time, entirely new professions are emerging. Loyst cited examples such as prompt engineers and go-to-market engineers, roles that barely existed a few years ago but are increasingly common within AI-native companies. The lesson, she suggested, is not that opportunities are disappearing. They are evolving. Young professionals who embrace AI and develop new capabilities may ultimately benefit from a wider range of entrepreneurial and professional opportunities.
Technology is not the goal
For Geoffrey Nichil, CEO of Luxembourg-based startup Dotika, the conversation should move beyond the technology itself. “Technology is not the key skill,” he argued. The real challenge is combining technical understanding with business expertise. Employees who can bridge both worlds, understanding technology while solving concrete business problems, are likely to become increasingly valuable.
Nichil also argued that AI should not be viewed as a replacement for human judgement. Instead, it should automate repetitive and low-value tasks, allowing people to focus on strategy, creativity and decision-making. The question is where we put our attention,” he said. That shift may fundamentally redefine how organisations allocate talent.
Education faces its own disruption
Artificial intelligence is not only transforming workplaces. It is also challenging traditional education models. According to Fateh Amroune, the conventional relationship between teacher and student is being reshaped by instant access to information. “Knowledge is everywhere,” he observed. Teachers are no longer the exclusive source of information. Students can access explanations, tutorials and learning resources instantly through AI-powered tools.
As a result, education may increasingly focus on interpretation, validation and critical thinking rather than memorisation. The challenge for schools and universities is adapting quickly enough. While some institutions have already integrated AI into their programmes, others remain constrained by slower-moving structures and legacy approaches.
The entrepreneurs’ advantage
Despite concerns about job displacement, several speakers expressed optimism about the opportunities created by AI. Meagan Loyst described what she sees among young entrepreneurs and startup founders. The barriers to building a company have never been lower. Access to knowledge, tools, communities and funding has become increasingly democratised. A founder no longer needs large teams or extensive technical resources to turn an idea into a product.
That does not mean everyone will build a billion-dollar company. But it does mean that entrepreneurship is becoming more accessible. The challenge is no longer obtaining information. The challenge is identifying problems worth solving.
Human skills become more valuable
The panel concluded with a discussion about the capabilities that will matter most in the years ahead. The answers were remarkably consistent. Meagan Loyst highlighted curiosity, creativity and communication. Geoffrey Nichil emphasised problem-solving, perspective and humanity. Fateh Amroune pointed to critical thinking as the foundation upon which all other skills are built.
In other words, the skills gaining value are not necessarily technological. They are human. As AI becomes cheaper, more accessible and increasingly embedded in everyday life, technical capabilities may become easier to acquire. Judgement, creativity and independent thinking may become harder to replicate. That could make them the most valuable assets of all.
In the end, the panel offered a powerful reminder. The future of work may not belong to those who know the most. It may belong to those who ask the best questions.
