Human Excellence in the AI Age, Part 1: A Soft Skills Course

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University of Virginia Darden School Foundation

Human Excellence in the AI Age, Part 1: A Soft Skills Course

Instructor: Edward D. Hess

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3 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

43 reviews

Beginner level

Recommended experience

3 hours to complete

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

3 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

43 reviews

Beginner level

Recommended experience

3 hours to complete

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

Tools to help you be more resilient and make better life choices and decisions.
Strategies to work towards becoming your Best Self.

Details to know

Shareable certificate

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Assessments

4 assignments

Taught in English

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There are 3 modules in this course

Finding meaningful work and happiness in the AI age depends on you - your ability to learn, unlearn, and re-learn at the pace of technological change. Follow Edward D. Hess, Professor Emeritus of Business Administration at the Darden School of Business, as he lays the groundwork for personal development and exceptional leadership in an era of exponential technological growth.

Volatility is the new norm. Technology is becoming faster and smarter than ever before. How can we distinguish ourselves in this new work environment? We must adapt to stay relevant, and according to Hess, we must become highly adaptive learners. Taking ownership of our minds, bodies, egos, emotions, behaviors, listening, and thinking is essential to success and allows us to bring our best selves to work each day. When we bring our best selves to work, we develop caring, trusting relationships with others, optimizing our ability to collaborate and work successfully in teams.

Welcome to Human Excellence in the AI Age Part 1, an exploration into the intersection of human potential and artificial intelligence (AI). In this module, we will lay the foundation for understanding the evolving relationship between humans and AI and how individuals and organizations can strive for excellence in this rapidly changing landscape. In this module, you'll meet your faculty, Edward D. Hess, author of 14 books and Professor Emeritus of Business Administration at the University of Virginia's Darden School of Business. Finally, you'll familiarize yourself with the course structure - video lessons combined with reflection questions and checks for understanding that is designed to help you familiarize yourself with the course so you can make the most of your course experience.

What's included

7 readings

Welcome to the Human Excellence in the AI Age module. This module addresses the challenges of work in the AI Age and the need to reman relevant - to not be automated out of a job. In this module, we will explore the skills that separate humans from technology (i.e.. critical thinking, relationship-building, problem solving) and the need for humans to become highly adaptive learners. Finally, we will discuss the biggest inhibitors of our ability to learn at the pace of change and the need for a new way of working to achieve success in the AI Age.

What's included

9 videos2 readings2 assignments1 discussion prompt

9 videosTotal 39 minutes

Human Excellence in the AI Age - Introduction3 minutes
AI is Here - How Will You Cope?3 minutes
Adaptation is Required - How Do We Add Value?4 minutes
Highly Adaptive Leaders Become Enablers7 minutes
So, What's the Problem? The Science of "Us"7 minutes
The Science of "Us" - Summary3 minutes
Top Priorities in the AI Age4 minutes
The Importance of Soft Skills and "Otherness"3 minutes
A New Way of Working5 minutes

2 readingsTotal 20 minutes

Journal Exercise: Becoming Your Best Self10 minutes
Slide Deck - Human Excellence in the AI Age10 minutes

2 assignmentsTotal 11 minutes

Reflection: Adding Value10 minutes
Completion Check - Journal Exercise: Becoming Your Best Self1 minute

1 discussion promptTotal 10 minutes

Becoming Your Best Self10 minutes

Welcome to the Managing Your Ego - Quieting Your Mind and Body module. Our ego and our fear are the two biggest inhibitors of our ability to adapt and grow. In this module, we explore how mastery of self (both mind and body) enables us to become highly adaptive learners. We can overcome the limitations of our ego and fear by embracing humility and a new definition of smart. Using a variety of tools (daily meditation, mindfulness practice, coherent breathing) we are able to quiet our minds and master our physical reactions to stress, creating space to become a highly adaptive learner.

What's included

6 videos3 readings2 assignments1 discussion prompt

6 videosTotal 39 minutes

Introduction: Managing Your Ego2 minutes
Mastery of Self4 minutes
What is Humility?12 minutes
Introduction: Quiet Mind, Quiet Body1 minute
The Power of Mindfulness Meditation14 minutes
Quiet Your Body6 minutes

3 readingsTotal 30 minutes

Workshop: 2 Key Behaviors10 minutes
Slide Deck - Managing Your Ego10 minutes
Slide Deck - Quiet Your Mind and Body10 minutes

2 assignmentsTotal 6 minutes

Completion Check - Workshop: 2 Key Behaviors1 minute
Knowledge Check - What is Humility?5 minutes

1 discussion promptTotal 10 minutes

2 Key Behaviors10 minutes

Instructor

Instructor ratings

(21 ratings)

Edward D. Hess

University of Virginia Darden School Foundation

4 Courses91,577 learners

Offered by

University of Virginia Darden School Foundation

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Reviewed on Nov 30, 2024

It is important to be humble and fearless, as this course emphasizes. But I would also emphasize truthfulness.

Reviewed on Jun 4, 2025

Excellent course provides me the path and tools to be other minded every day

Reviewed on Jun 29, 2025

I like the part with practical breathing exercise - I think is very helpful.

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