Debate: Will AI Enhance Or Replace Human Skills In The Future Workforce?

Debate: Will AI Enhance Or Replace Human Skills In The Future Workforce?
Webinar

Background:

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming the workplace, with applications ranging from automating routine tasks to augmenting complex decision-making. As AI technologies proliferate across industries, employers, employees, and policymakers face pressing questions about the future of human work. The integration of advanced AI tools presents new possibilities for collaboration, upskilling, and reinventing roles - but it also demands thoughtful adaptation and a clear-eyed look at what uniquely human expertise really means. Proponents argue that AI acts as a powerful tool to extend human capabilities—enabling professionals to work more efficiently, creatively, and safely. However, critics highlight the disruptive potential of AI to displace jobs, erode traditional professions, and deskill workers who come to rely on machines. Entire sectors, from manufacturing to law, could be restructured as AI substitutes for tasks once thought uniquely human. Will AI be a catalyst for human skill development, innovation and a tool for greater productivity? Or will it be a substitute for human contribution?

Join us in a lively, interactive, thought-provoking showcase hosted by Debate Mate as we delve into multiple perspectives on these critical questions and explore the future relationship between AI and human capabilities in the workplace.

Speakers:

Sardor Karimov is the CEO and co-founder of Candidat.ai, an AI-powered recruitment platform helping candidates find exciting opportunities faster and smarter. With eight years of experience in recruitment and AI-first companies, he has led product implementations at more than ten of the UK’s largest banks. Sardor has published thought leadership on AI adoption in large organisations and has delivered guest lectures on practical AI applications to EMBA cohorts at Hult Business School, the LSEG, Arizona State University, and ESCP. He holds a BSc in Economics and Finance from the University of York. Passionate about how technology can shape fairer and more efficient labour markets, Sardor brings a practitioner’s perspective to the debate on the future of work and AI.

Ian Harris specialises in strategic planning and systematic performance improvement in both the civil society sector practice (which he leads) and also commercial sectors. Ian regularly leads award-winning work, such as Charityshare's partnership award, Ideal Hardware's HR Award for its rewards framework and the Marine Stewardship Council's Best Practice award for its strategic planning and governance review. He designed and manages Z/Yen’s employee incentives and share ownership programme. Ian is a former chair of the judging panel for the National Payroll Giving Awards and of BCS The Chartered Institute for IT's Ethics Group. His third book, The Price Of Fish: A New Approach To Wicked Economics And Better Decisions written jointly with Professor Michael Mainelli, won the Independent Publisher Book Awards Finance, Investment & Economics Gold Prize.

Elissa Abbara is an Associate at Debate Mate who delivers communication training programmes for large global corporates, including PwC, HSBC and Standard Chartered Bank. Elissa regularly speaks at global conferences, moderating debates in English, Arabic and German. A seasoned competitive debater, Elissa holds a postgraduate diploma in Law from BPP and an undergraduate degree from Queen Mary University of London and UC San Diego.

Adam Roble is Programme Director at Debate Mate, where he oversees the development and delivery of some of our debate programmes. He is a former Debate Mate student, and was subsequently awarded a full scholarship to Eton College, before studying at Oxford University where he served as President of the Oxford Union. Following his time at Oxford, he became a Henry Fellow at Harvard University before joining the Debate Mate office.

Gabriella Ewulomi is a Programme Director at Debate Mate for London Secondary and Debate Mate Plus. She is an Oxford University graduate and a Debate Mate Schools alumna. During secondary school, Gabriella was a finalist in the Debate Mate Urban Debate League and debated in institutes such as the Foreign Office, the Pensions Policy Institute and State Street Global Advisors.

Rushma Khan is an International Relations student at the University of Birmingham. Rushma’s journey with Debate Mate began at the age of 11 when she joined the after-school club at Shireland Collegiate Academy, winning the Debate Mate Cup and League competitions. Over the years, Rushma has spoken at numerous showcase debates and panels, sharing the stage with renowned figures such as Brian Cox, Alistair Campbell, and Gary Neville. Among her many achievements, the highlight of her journey was proudly representing the UK on an international stage at the Dubai World Expo. More recently, she served as an Assistant Programme Director at Debate Mate during her gap year.

Chairman:

Hugo Van Mol oversees Debate Mate’s corporate partnerships and training programmes, working with the team to deliver training with professionals all over the world, from Asia to the Caribbean, Africa to the UAE. He is responsible for the coordination of Debate Mate’s various corporate programmes. Hugo graduated from University College London in 2017, where he was a mentor with Debate Mate for three years, teaching in both primary and secondary schools across London.

Date
Wednesday, 03 December 2025

Time
11:00 - 11:45 GMT

Cost
Free

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