3. Influence and Stakeholder Management AI can automate lots of work, but bringing together groups of humans and getting them to agree on next steps is likely to remain a human task forever. AI might help you gather the supporting data and even organize your arguments, but in the end, decisions are often driven by more than the facts. In my class, I identify eight factors in your influence, and data is just one of them. The others are soft skills you can learn and improve. Eight factors of influence: Advance preparation (AI is helpful here) Listening to others and asking good questions Clear, correct facts and data (AI is best here) Your professional reputation Interpersonal conduct - being friendly and trustworthy Your track record of results Personal relationships After all of these, speaking and writing