The rise of virtual intelligence skills

In an era where the landscape of work is rapidly evolving, it is more important than ever to stay ahead of the curve. According to The World Economic Forum (WEF 16.10.2024), some of the most influential factors shaping the future of work and education include the concept of virtual intelligence (VI). Whether or not you will be hired may depend on your VI skills. Potential employees may also be interested in the VI level of a business.

In the following, we explore the topic of virtual intelligence and the reasons why it matters for individuals and businesses alike.

Virtual intelligence is remote-readiness

Virtual intelligence, or ‘remote-readiness’, is becoming a crucial skill as remote and hybrid work models continue to dominate. In 2023, nearly 68 % of tech employees globally were working mostly or fully remotely (Sherif 17.2.2024). Many highly skilled people across the world are choosing a location flexible lifestyle and becoming truly global citizens and employees by being digital nomads (Eckhard & Atanasova 5.2.2024). Finnish employees are also struggling to find their way back to the office after the pandemic. Many of them choose to work from home, far away from their colleagues and teams as well as ICT support. Remote work requires special skills to stay in tune with others and to comply with cybersecurity.

The skill of VI encompasses the ability to communicate, collaborate, and manage tasks effectively in a virtual environment, and it is increasingly influencing hiring decisions (Avni 11.10.2024). This requires knowledge of design platforms like Miro where team members can engage and collaborate at the same time, making work processes smoother. Also, VI includes skills to keep up with the latest cybersecurity news, being alert and agile to apply new knowledge into action.

Location flexibility unlocks global talent

As digital access expands and remote work becomes more common, a broad range of jobs, from social media influencing to teaching, software development to customer service, can now be done online. Many of us have personal experience from location flexibility, e.g., in form of customer service from remote locations within our own country as well as chatting with a representative located in a distant European country or in a call center in India. These are becoming the norm rather than the exception.

As WEF (9.1.2024) states, this shift is enabling lower-income countries in the Global South with growing youth populations to train talent for in-demand global roles, while higher-income countries in the Global North can address labour shortages. By investing in remote work skills and responsibly managing this opportunity, countries can unlock global talent and create economic growth across income levels.

VI is not the only type of intelligence employees need to thrive, though. We all know Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its potential to disrupt the world around us. It has already become a constant companion for many experts. Emotional Intelligence (EI), made famous to the public by Daniel Goleman, including things like motivation, empathy and social skills, is a crucial competence for professional and personal success. Now that machines and AI are taking over, EI is more in demand than ever. Highlighting our human qualities along with being skilled in VI is something that will be much sought after on the job market.

Signs of virtal intelligence

There are tell-tale signs for VI. In the ever-changing world of work with virtual environments and hybrid work, digital nomads and globe-trotting business travellers, some geographical and cultural facts remain. Despite constant digital access, people still live in different time zones and respecting other people’s work-life balance and working hours is important. Knowing the time zones of business partners is essential. Their holidays and business cultures with varying degrees of seniority do not disappear in the virtual world.

Learning to communicate on virtual platforms and knowing the virtual meeting etiquette are things we teach at Haaga-Helia as well. As the virtual world does not recognise geographical boundaries, it is equally possible for the virtually skilled student to get an in-house mentor in Finland as one in faraway Australia. These virtual encounters can also lead to learning experiences abroad, for example a work placement in a hotel in Thailand or a student exchange in Korea. In addition, collaboration across the world of higher education institutions has reached a totally new level, with guest lectures and Erasmus Plus project training sessions being possible beyond borders. Nowadays, we can have guest lectures from universities and companies located in other cities, countries and continents.

Developing and assessing virtual intelligence skills

At Haaga-Helia, students are offered several introductory courses (e.g., Introduction to Digital Learning Environments) that help them to find their way in the virtual world, where they learn the vital skills and mindset needed for independent virtual learning online. In most other courses, too, students are introduced to platforms and ways of working in the virtual world.

One option to assess VI readiness is ETS AnywherePro, an online tool designed to evaluate key skills essential for thriving in today’s remote work environment, such as virtual meeting etiquette, work-life balance, mentorship, collaboration, and cross-functional relationships. The test consists of scenario-based multiple-choice questions, and upon passing, the student receives a digital badge that can be displayed on platforms. (*ETS 2024). ETS has previously established itself globally with renowned standardised assessments like TOEFL language test.

For life beyond studies, everyone should stay updated with industry developments and take an interest in virtual options. This applies to all of us: we need to keep pace with virtual intelligence, alongside nurturing our emotional intelligence. As we return to the office, face-to-face meeting skills remain vital. Embracing virtual intelligence does not mean we can neglect human intelligence – both are essential for thriving in the future workplace.

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