Leaning into Our Human Superpowers

Andrea Rubik
3 days ago
4 min read

Hello, wonderful Women in Digital Switzerland community!

As the calendar pages turn on another year, I find myself doing what I always do: pausing to reflect on the incredible journey we've shared. This community has grown to 18,000 strong, and every single one of you inspires me daily.

Thank you for showing up, for leading, and for reminding us all of the power of connection.

When I look at the energy of our community, I see a readiness not just to adapt but to lead. And that's exactly what this new year asks of us.

The Constant Invitation to Change

Change can feel unsettling, but it is often the clearest sign of life and opportunity. Think about it: If you've reached a point where your aspirations feel stifled, or your goals seem out of reach, that's a signal. If you've been in a role past the point of genuine growth, it’s a sign that it is absolutely time to change. In the digital economy and with fast-moving technology development, the saying holds true: Change is coming, so deal with it.

As a community focused on opportunities in the digital economy, we are not meant to stand still. We are the changemakers. Our mission at WDS is to help build a world where women rise, lead, and transform the digital economy. Embracing change is essential to fulfilling that promise.

Partnering with Progress

The world is not just moving; it is being fundamentally redefined. When we talk about Artificial Intelligence, a lot of the public conversation focuses on fear and job displacement. But recent insights reveal a much more hopeful and powerful picture: the future of work will be a partnership among people, agents, and technology. This is not a forecast of jobs disappearing; it is a profound shift in what our jobs will become.

AI is simply taking on the tasks we were never meant to spend our best time on. It is moving us away from the routine and towards the high value. More than 70 percent of the skills we use today will remain relevant. The difference is how we apply them. We will spend less time preparing documents and conducting basic research and more time framing questions and interpreting results. We are moving from execution to orchestration.

Doubling Down on the Human Factor

This shift means we need to invest deeply in our uniquely human capabilities. These are the skills that machines still lack, and that will increasingly be prized by employers.

The human-AI partnership creates a broad middle ground where machines handle the routine tasks, and we provide the judgment and contextual understanding that is still missing from the equation. Think of your most crucial interpersonal skills, like negotiation, coaching, and mentorship. These skills are rooted in social and emotional intelligence, and they are the ones likely to change the least as AI advances.

This is why the core mission of WDS has never been more relevant:

Education empowers us to navigate our careers with confidence and foster the trust and teamwork that lifts everyone higher. This includes becoming fluent in AI, not just as a tool, but as a collaborator.

Opportunities create powerful experiences and partnerships that deepen our understanding and celebrate our diversity.

Impact is driven by compassion, building inclusive spaces where creativity flourishes, and resilience grows.

Leaders in this new era will be the ones who engage directly with AI, not delegating the responsibility, and who invest in the human skills that matter most.

Finding Your Unique Path

One last thought on this journey of change and growth: never feel obligated to follow the most conventional path. In a world being remade by technology, the greatest innovators are often those who draw connections from diverse fields.

There is immense, real-world value in pursuing diverse interests and knowledge far outside your direct career track. The seeds of your next big idea, whether it is a new product, a team structure, or a personal breakthrough, may not be found in the latest tech conference, but in a course on psychology, negotiation, or even the science of well-being.

You never truly know where inspiration might come from. So, give yourself permission to explore, to be curious, and to build a personal knowledge base that is uniquely yours. That’s how we future-proof our careers and truly lead.

My Call to You

As we look toward the new year, I urge you to look at your career and the digital landscape not with apprehension, but with focused ambition. What is the highest value work only you can do? Where can you apply your judgment, your emotional intelligence, and your unique perspective to shape the outcome?

The future of the digital economy rests on these human capabilities, and this community is full of them. Let's continue to build meaningful connections, inspire learning, and embrace this pivotal moment.

As I always say: "We are a powerful community supporting women to rise, be seen, and succeed in the digital economy in Switzerland. We build meaningful connections that celebrate every woman's talent, journey, and ambition. Together, we open minds, move hearts, and change the world."

Dr. Andrea Rubik

President of Women in Digital Switzerland

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Resources to Spark Your Curiosity

In the spirit of expanding your knowledge base beyond the conventional, here are some links to excellent, free online classes from top universities that can help hone your uniquely human and technical skills.