Thought leaders and research companies that study the future of work state that soft skills, such as critical thinking and empathy will be vital. These techniques will contribute to lifelong learning, enhanced collaboration and even cybersecurity by ensuring people think more before doing, and who seek to connect more efficiently with the people they are communicating with. As AI and machine learning take over more of people's current work responsibilities, it will be "soft" people skills that will become central to each person's professional destiny.