The world of work is undergoing its fastest transformation in decades. Generative AI is redesigning processes and job functions, while geopolitical tensions, climate risks, and rising transportation costs are pushing companies toward nearshoring and multisourcing.
Sustainability has become a central competitive driver: the International Labour Organization estimates that the green economy will generate 14 million new jobs by 2026 in roles such as climate risk analyst, circular economy designer, and ESG reporting specialist.
Hybrid work models also introduce new challenges: maintaining team cohesion, managing burnout, and ensuring cybersecurity. At the same time, the global competition for talent intensifies. The LinkedIn Global Talent Report (2025) highlights that 84% of employers struggle to find professionals with the right mix of skills—not only technical but also behavioural and cognitive, such as adaptability, problem-solving, ethical judgment, and intercultural communication.
Additionally, ManpowerGroup (2025) reports a historic talent shortage in key sectors, reaching 78% globally. This scarcity is fueling significant salary increases in advanced fields: AI (+15–22%), cybersecurity (+12–16%), green economy (+10–18%), healthcare tech & bioinformatics (+11–17%), and digital supply chain & logistics (+9–15%) (WEF, 2025).
According to the World Economic Forum (2025), over 60% of companies now prioritise transferable skills over traditional credentials. This shift is structural: adaptability, digital fluency, and ethical judgment are now more valuable than formal degrees or previous job titles.
Research by LinkedIn and Deloitte (2025) highlights the increasing importance of learning agility, complexity management, cross-cultural collaboration, and the ability to integrate technology into daily workflows—all essential for employability today.
“This dual focus—digital and behavioural—reflects both technological acceleration and the evolution of organisational models,” says Valerio Mancini, Director of the Rome Business School Research Center.
AI literacy is becoming central: 75% of companies already use AI tools (WEF, 2025), making data interpretation, algorithmic understanding, and bias awareness essential skills. As organisations become more data-driven, data interpretation is one of the fastest-growing competencies (LinkedIn Workforce Insights, 2025).
Cybersecurity awareness is also critical: the OECD (2025) notes that human error remains the leading cause of cyber breaches.
Sustainability is now deeply integrated into professional profiles: the ILO (2025) identifies green skills—eco-design, ESG reporting, and circular economy expertise—as among the fastest-growing competencies.
The combination of digital mastery, ethical responsibility, and advanced human skills defines the future-ready professional.
By 2026, AI will act as a strategic collaborator within organisations, creating hybrid workforces that combine human judgment with AI analytical power (McKinsey, 2025). The most competitive professionals will be those capable of supervising AI, validating outputs, and leveraging its potential.
The lifespan of skills continues to shrink: according to the WEF (2025), a skill becomes obsolete in less than three years, making continuous learning essential for long-term employability.
Remote work is increasing global talent mobility. The OECD (2025) reports that companies are increasingly hiring across borders to access specialised competencies.
Leadership is also being redefined. The Deloitte Human Capital Trends Report (2025) notes a shift from authoritarian models to collaborative ones grounded in trust, psychological safety, and the ability to guide teams through constant change.
In an AI-intensive environment, leadership becomes more human: it requires ethical judgment, technological literacy, empathy, and cross-cultural fluency.
Skills-based economies are on the rise: LinkedIn (2025) reports a 28% increase in skills-based hiring in just one year, signalling a shift toward job opportunities determined by competencies rather than degrees or geography.
The ongoing transformation points to a clear conclusion: the competitive advantage of the future will belong to those who can combine technological capability with human insight.
Creativity, resilience, adaptability, and ethical responsibility are becoming essential complements to digital literacy.
“In a market shaped by rapid change and talent shortages, organisations that invest in people — alongside innovation — will be the ones capable of leading transformation.”
— Valerio Mancini