PMI-WSJ Survey Reveals Critical Human Skills to Preserve Amid AI Workplace Integration — Philip Morris International Inc. (PMI)

Event summary

PMI and WSJ Intelligence released The Cognition Index Research Report, surveying 2,500+ business professionals across 5 countries.
42% of respondents identified moral judgment and ethics as the most important human attributes AI cannot replicate.
62% believe human intuition should take priority over AI in creative work, while 50% say the same for data-driven fields.
Only 25% strongly agree their organization has effective processes for verifying AI outputs.
Creative empathy and adaptability are projected to rise in corporate value by +13 and +9 percentage points, respectively, in three years.

The big picture

As AI reshapes workplace dynamics, PMI's survey underscores the growing tension between automation and the irreplaceable human elements in decision-making. The findings align with broader industry trends where companies are grappling with how to integrate AI without eroding core human skills. With PMI's own transition toward smoke-free products, the report also highlights the importance of adaptability in rapidly evolving sectors.

What we're watching

Human-AI Synergy: How companies will balance AI efficiency with the preservation of critical human judgment and creativity.
Governance Gaps: Whether organizations can develop robust frameworks for verifying AI outputs to prevent decision-making risks.
Skill Evolution: The pace at which creative empathy and adaptability will be prioritized in hiring and professional development.