Future Competences in Digital Society: Between Automation and Humanism

Artur Lis

doi:10.18290/pepsi-2026-0007

Published : 2026-06-30

Vol. 32 No. 1 (2026)

Future Competences in Digital Society: Between Automation and Humanism

Artur Lis

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4613-0671

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18290/pepsi-2026-0007

Abstract

This article examines future competences in the context of accelerated technological transformation, automation, and the development of artificial intelligence. It argues that in digital societies competences can no longer be understood solely as economic or functional constructs, but must also be conceptualized as ethical and cultural categories that shape individuals’ capacity for responsible participation in complex socio-technical systems.

The study adopts a theoretical and conceptual approach based on critical analysis and synthesis of interdisciplinary literature drawn from psychology, sociology, philosophy, and management studies. It proposes an original framework of four interrelated competence domains: cognitive (critical thinking and reading comprehension), emotional (emotional intelligence, empathy, and active listening), existential (self-management and psychological resilience), and socio-cognitive (lifelong learning and reflexivity).

The analysis demonstrates that these domains are mutually interconnected and collectively constitute the foundations of human agency in digitally mediated environments. Particular emphasis is placed on the role of ethics and the humanities as normative frameworks that shape both the direction and the meaning of competence development in the age of automation. The article also highlights the structural tension between instrumental, market-oriented approaches to competences and their broader humanistic, societal, and governance-related functions.

The main contribution of the article lies in the development of an integrated interdisciplinary model that links competence development with ethical responsibility, governance, and social participation. It is argued that the integration of technical knowledge with humanistic reflection constitutes a necessary condition for maintaining a sustainable balance between technological innovation and human values.

Keywords:

future competences, artificial intelligence, emotional intelligence, lifelong learning, reflexivity, digital humanism, ethics, ESG

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Lis, A. (2026). Future Competences in Digital Society: Between Automation and Humanism. Journal for Perspectives of Economic Political and Social Integration, 32(1), 221–242. https://doi.org/10.18290/pepsi-2026-0007

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