Artificial Intelligence is no longer on the horizon, it’s here, shaping the way we work, communicate, and interact. It’s another industrial revolution, and from all accounts it will bring a new world order, create the first trillionaires and fundamentally redesign the service and professional classes as we know it. From negotiation chatbots to AI-driven public speaking tools, technology is advancing at a pace none of us can ignore. The real question is not whether we should embrace AI, but how we can use it without losing the very skills that make us human.

AI is brilliant at curation. With the right prompts, machine learning can draft powerful arguments, outline persuasive talking points, and suggest how to structure a keynote presentation. In that sense, AI is a game-changer, a colleague that never sleeps. Therefore, for professionals, entrepreneurs, and sales teams, this needs to mean less time staring at a blank page and more time focusing on delivery.

This is my fear (and it’s not AI): it is the more we rely on AI… the greater the risk of eroding our own communication skills. If we allow machines to carry the weight of our ideas, we risk becoming overly dependent, polished on paper, but flat in person. And when it comes to influence, persuasion, empathy and passion, whether in a boardroom, sales pitch, or even a personal conversation, it may slowly erode.

This is where the balance lies. I firmly believe you should use AI to sharpen our words, but never forget that it’s your voice, presence, and emotion that win people over. No algorithm can replace the impact of eye contact, a pause at the right moment, or the power of a personal story. These are the tools that build trust and connection things that AI can mimic but not genuinely create.

Think of AI as your strategist, and yourself as the performer. AI can help identify what matters most to your audience and shape your message around it. But the moment you step into the room, whether physical or virtual it’s your non-verbals, your authenticity, and your ability to tell a story that determines success.

So, what does this mean for leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals today? It means we must invest in re-learning human-centric engagement. Practice body language. Learn how to use silence for emphasis. Refine your storytelling ability so that facts become memorable experiences. Because in a world where AI can draft the perfect sentence, the differentiator will be the person who can bring those words to life.

In the future of work, those who thrive won’t be the ones who resist AI; it’s too powerful to ignore. Nor will it be those who blindly outsource all communication to machines. Instead, it will be people and organisations that harness AI for preparation and structure while doubling down on the timeless human skills of connection, persuasion, and presence.

AI may help us craft the message. But only we can deliver it in a way that moves people.

By Caeser Abdalla