Artificial intelligence is getting more advanced than ever with fresh developments every week, so if you want to keep up, you must step up. The best way to do this is to hone skills that AI can't replicate or replace12. Here are some capabilities you must work on:

• Emotional intelligence: We all know that AI can't feel. It's a series of algorithms running on logic and data instead of feelings and sensations. As a human being, you have all the emotions and sentiments to connect with other human beings. These allow you to resonate with co-workers, clients, and customers, reaching them with the depth of emotions innate to a human3.

• Creativity: AI only makes use of the information it is given. It may seem to come up with something new, but its ideas only come from its database. You have the ability to think out of the box and form original, innovative solutions and concepts from scratch that AI can't generate2.

• Critical thinking: AI can assess and evaluate the input you provide. However, it doesn't match up to the level of thinking and reasoning that humans have. When it comes to decision-making, a human still has the authority and the final say3.

• Complex problem-solving: AI is smart enough to tackle complicated problems, but there are certain multifaceted issues that still require human intuition and contextual understanding. AI can be too objective and there are cases when a human still has the better judgment2.

• Leadership and social influence: AI can't take over a leadership role. If you're in a leadership position, you can expect that it will be harder for AI to take you down from your place. Humans are still expected to lead and guide a company's workforce, spearheading team collaboration and regulating organizational dynamics3.

With AI's continuous growth, you can't afford to slack off. This is not the time to remain stagnant since your technological competitor is getting better day after day. You must show your employers that you're a valuable, irreplaceable asset to their business. To do this, you should commit yourself to lifelong learning— polishing your existing skills, updating them, and gaining new ones12. Attend workshops and take training courses. Keep up with the latest industry trends, information, and innovations because you need the information to adapt to new strategies, processes, equipment, and software3. If you can add more certifications and awards to your repertoire, then all the better! You must pursue knowledge and experience since you're up against an all-intelligent rival4.

Sure, being capable at many different tasks is cool and would look good on a resume, but you wouldn't want to be a jack-of-all-trades and a master of none. If you want to raise your value, then you must establish yourself as an expert at what you do. This means you should pick one thing you're good at and strive to become the best at it. This specialization molds you into a reliable professional who stands out in a particular niche. You'll have a unique and refined skill set that AI doesn't have1. Your mastery is attractive to employers and superiors because you can handle more difficult responsibilities and deliver them at a higher quality and faster speed2. Being an expert at your job also means you get paid more without necessarily doing more.

AI doesn't have any friends or relationships unless you're counting those AI apps that are now popularly used as companions and confidants1. Nonetheless, AI can't form bonds and relationships like people do. As a form of technology, it doesn't have a physical presence and it can't interact with others out of its own volition. This becomes your edge because you're able to forge connections with other people in your industry and workplace. You can nurture good relationships with fellow employees and even major company decision-makers and superiors. Once you've become part of a circle, it would be hard to kick you out. You can also build a safety net for yourself by associating with other professionals who can help you secure another job if you're ever laid off in favor for AI2. By expanding your network, you're opening yourself up to new opportunities and beneficial affiliations.

Why view AI as an enemy when you can consider it as your ally? AI can't do everything by itself and still needs human supervision. On the other hand, a human can benefit so much from AI's assistance. Depending on your job and the industry you're in, there are a lot of AI tools that can help you secure your position in your career. If you're in marketing, AI can write content and copy for you1. For content creation, there are plenty of AI image, audio, and video generators and editors to choose from2. Software and web developers can ask AI for quick coding, debugging, and testing3. In customer service, AI chatbots can respond to immediate customer queries and concerns4. Businesses can automate operations, logistics, and administrative tasks with the use of AI5. These AI functions seem to be threatening and it's true that some companies have found that they're more useful than human resources, but if you look at it from a different perspective, you can actually see that these same functions can complement your workflow and improve your efficiency6. A partnership between a human and AI, both of their skills combined, would be hard to beat7.

When you're an employee, job security is always a question. It's not entirely up to you how long you want to stay in your role because the higher-ups may have other plans. With AI and its exceptional abilities entering the picture, the challenge of keeping a job gets even more difficult. Now, employers have another cheaper and more efficient alternative to hiring and keeping employees.12 As they say, it's the survival of the fittest. To better fortify your position in your company, you must take the necessary measures to place yourself above AI, may it be through your skills or your connections. It's important to show your employers what they will be missing if they let a machine or software replace you. You better exert all your efforts into becoming the best person for your role, even if it means also using AI to highlight your capabilities. Don't back down against something artificial when your intelligence is the real deal.34