The Human Skills AI Can’t Replace – Insights from Infosys Leaders

Artificial Intelligence is transforming industries at lightning speed. From automating workflows to generating content, it feels like no profession is untouched. Yet, according to Infosys icons NR Narayana Murthy, Nandan Nilekani, and Salil Parekh, there are timeless skills that AI will never replace.

Speaking at the 25th anniversary of Infosys’ global internship program, InSTEP, they reminded us of a powerful truth: the future belongs to those who can merge technology with human strengths.

Learnability – Murthy’s Core Mantra

For Murthy, the ability to learn, unlearn, and relearn is the ultimate superpower. He calls this “learnability”—the skill of extracting lessons from experiences and applying them to new challenges.

Real-life example:
When COVID-19 hit, millions of professionals had to quickly shift to remote work. Teachers who had never used digital platforms before suddenly had to master Zoom, Google Classroom, and online engagement tools. Many succeeded not because they were tech experts, but because they embraced learnability.

Similarly, in the IT world, professionals who once specialised in legacy systems like COBOL successfully transitioned to cloud and AI platforms—purely by adapting and learning.

Lesson: Technology may change every decade, but adaptability ensures relevance for a lifetime.

Human Connection – Nilekani’s Emphasis

Nilekani highlighted something often overlooked in the AI debate: human interaction and empathy. He argued that collaboration, leadership, and emotional intelligence will only become more valuable in an AI-driven world.

Real-life example:
Think of doctors during the pandemic. While AI models could analyse CT scans or predict infection patterns, it was the human presence of doctors and nurses—comforting patients, talking to families, making ethical decisions—that truly mattered.

Another example is Satya Nadella at Microsoft. His leadership style, rooted in empathy, transformed Microsoft’s culture and made it one of the most valuable companies in the world. No algorithm could replicate that cultural shift.

Lesson: Machines may process data, but only humans can build trust, inspire teams, and lead with compassion.

Balancing Tech and People – Parekh’s Vision

Salil Parekh, Infosys’ CEO, compared today’s AI revolution to the digital transformation wave of a decade ago. Just as companies had to reskill for cloud and data, they must now adapt to AI while keeping human creativity at the core.

Real-life example:
Infosys itself has made this shift. Over the last five years, its internship program InSTEP has become a global talent pipeline, with interns eventually joining in leadership and client-facing roles. What stood out wasn’t just their technical knowledge but their ability to collaborate across cultures and solve real-world problems with creativity.

Similarly, think of Pixar Animation Studios. They use some of the most advanced computer graphics in the world. But what makes their movies timeless isn’t the tech—it’s the storytelling, empathy, and imagination of human creators.

Lesson: Technology may be the engine, but human vision is the driver.

The Bigger Picture

From Murthy’s learnability to Nilekani’s emphasis on empathy and Parekh’s call for balance, one truth emerges: AI can change tools, but it cannot replace timeless human traits.

The professionals of tomorrow will succeed not by fearing AI, but by combining it with qualities only humans possess:

• Curiosity to keep learning

• Empathy to connect deeply

• Collaboration to solve bigger problems

• Leadership to inspire change

In short, AI may be the co-pilot of the future, but the human spirit will always remain the pilot.

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