Skill matters more than ever now in an AI age. Personally, I have seen how technology disruption transformed my own career as an engineer and how I repurposed my skill sets to prolong my stay in the industry. But this time round, the change due to AI disruption is so rapid that I feel many people may struggle to catch their breath.
In an AI-driven economy, there seems to be a shift in work trends. The traditional way of relying on job titles like “Manager,” “Director,” or “Vice President” may be losing its importance because there is a growing trend in skill-based hiring.
Today, it’s getting clearer: skill matters more than titles. And if you want to thrive, not just survive, in the future of work, accumulating or stacking verifiable skills—or “skill badges”—is no longer optional. It’s may be your work survival kit.
Why Skill Matters: The AI Disruption Era
The pace of disruption triggered by artificial intelligence is not something I have seen in my lifetime. When the first iPhone came along, it transformed my design career into another industry. Luckily enough, I was able to repurpose my design career skill set to enter the software application trade.
AI technology brings totally different value to the table. It doesn’t just automate manual labor like previous technological revolutions—it automates a lot of cognitive work, too. Not to mention what it is expected to bring: Agentic AI!
The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025 notes that 39% of key job skills will change by 2030, mainly driven by AI and automation. Relying on a single specialty is increasingly risky. This is the new reality.
AI is automating routine tasks, making roles more interdisciplinary. Those who can blend technical skills (like AI, data literacy, and cybersecurity) with human-centric abilities (creativity, resilience, leadership) are most in demand.
If you are still chasing job titles instead of chasing skill stacks, you risk being outperformed by people who use AI. This is really the age where skill matters.
Because of this shift, we see some big tech companies slimming down or flattening their organisational structure, where AI replaces some of their work. For example, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella says that as much as 30% of Microsoft’s code is written by AI.
Hence, its crystal clear. The big tech companies are leading the way in this shift leveraging AI for increased productivity and effective cost structure.
What’s Happening Now: The Rise of Skill-Based Employment
In the aftermath of this disruption, skill matters now to companies. Organizations are changing the way they hire. They are pivoting toward skill-based hiring and moving away from traditional paper degree-based or title-based recruitment.
Companies that hire based on skills are seeing improvements in their workforce. According to ADP, 90% report fewer hiring mistakes, while 94% find that skills-based hires outperform those hired based on degrees or experience. Locally, skill-based hiring is also trending in Singapore. This may be a big wake-up call for both employers and job seekers.
TL;DR:
- Skill certifications and micro-credentials are increasingly listed alongside or even above job experience in candidate evaluations.
- Project-based hiring is increasing, where individuals are hired for specific skills needed for short-term goals.
- The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) ‘s Job Vacancies Report indicated that the proportion of vacancies for which academic qualifications were not the primary hiring criterion increased to 78.8 percent in 2024.
Whether you are a seasoned professional or just starting your new career, what matters is no longer the title—it’s whether you have the right skill stacks (like AI literacy, data analysis, coding) and soft skills (like adaptability, emotional intelligence, and critical thinking).
The Impact: Why Skill Matters for Career Survival (and Success)
This shift has a profound impact on every professional. We need to recognize that skill matters going forward and prepare for it.
Here’s why:
1. Adaptability Is the New Security
Job roles are changing so rapidly that the only true job security comes from your ability to adapt. We must adapt to this new norm. Chasing that Managerial title is no longer enough if your specific skills become obsolete.
For instance, Forbes highlights that executives believe the future workforce will need continuous upskilling to remain relevant. Close to eight in ten executives, 79%, of executives fear that if they don’t learn how to use AI, they’ll be unprepared for the future of work.
When skill matters more than title, your career resilience depends on your willingness to learn, unlearn, and relearn.
2. Skill Badges Become Your Career Survival Kit
Collecting Skill badges—whether from platforms like Coursera, LinkedIn Learning, skillsfuture, or coding bootcamps—are tangible proof that you possess valuable, real-world competencies.
When you can show a portfolio of certifications across multiple in-demand areas—AI literacy, data storytelling, and emotional intelligence—you build career leverage that no title alone can give you.
3. Competing Globally Requires More Than Titles
We live in a well-connected world. We compete for jobs not just internally or within our borders, but also against a remote workforce. Due to the pandemic, companies are now more open to remote hiring. Hence, we compete against remote teams for the same opportunities.
Without clear, demonstrable skills, you may be invisible or not competitive in this new labor market.
We have to accept the new reality. Titles won’t carry your reputation across borders—but verified skills will. Again, skill matters, and those who accumulate skill will outpace those who rest on their past titles.
How to Future-Proof Your Career: Build Your Skill Stack
Despite the doom and gloom, I am very optimistic about it. Since 2009, I have always accepted that technology disruption is a constant and skill stacking is critical. Back then, I picked up storytelling skills, selling skills, and also WordPress development skills. Today, I am an accomplished WordPress web designer and also adept at selling and public speaking. And in 2023, I started AI prompting learning, and picked up Canva designing. Today, AI is part of my toolset daily, and I have created over 1000 Canva designs. Guess what? I am still learning!
If you’re wondering where to start, here’s a simple roadmap to future-proof yourself in the skills economy:
- Audit Your Current Skills: Be real and identify your gaps compared to where your industry or interest areas are moving.
- Prioritize Cross-Functional Skills: Build both hard and soft skills. AI literacy + critical thinking + creativity + leadership is a powerful combination.
- Earn Recognized Skill Badges: Take certification courses from respected platforms and institutions.
- Showcase Skills Publicly: Update your LinkedIn profile, digital portfolio, or personal website to highlight verifiable skills over mere job roles.
- Commit to Continuous Learning: Set a goal to add at least 2–3 new competencies each year.
In the AI age, the winners won’t be those who cling to big-sounding titles. It’ll be those who move fast, stack skills, and stay visible.
Final Thoughts: Skill Matters More Than Ever
The career ladder, as we used to know it, is changing. This is brought about by constant technology disruption. We have to accept this reality. With AI, things will be even more rapid. The sooner we accept this reality, the faster we will be able to better prepare ourselves and start stacking up skills.
The message is clear: Skill matters more than ever. Embrace adaptability to unlearn, relearn, and learn. It’s time to build your skills like you used to build your career—intentionally, consistently, and visibly.
