Soft Skills and Artificial Intelligence: An essential duo for the future of higher education-Literature review

Abstract

Abstract

The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into higher education is not limited to technological evolution; it redefines the place of humans in learning. This article analyzes the necessary synergy between artificial intelligence and soft skills through a literature review structured around three themes: the growing importance of soft skills, artificial intelligence as a driver of educational innovation, and perceptions of their mutual interaction. This research demonstrates that artificial intelligence, far from replacing the role of the teacher or student, acts as a catalyst for the need to cultivate purely human skills such as critical thinking and emotional intelligence. This theoretical framework serves as the basis for future exploratory qualitative research that will be published shortly. This research was conducted through semi-structured interviews with university professors and students, particularly those in bachelor's and master's programs, using thematic analysis to understand how university stakeholders view the integration of soft skills in the age of automation. The ultimate goal is to propose a hybrid educational model in which technology and behavioral skills form an inseparable duo.

Keywords: Artificial Intelligence- Soft Skills- Higher Education- Educational Innovation- Emotional Intelligence.