Developing Soft Skills for the AI Era: A Study of Science Students at Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University

Abstract

The widespread adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) has intensified the need for soft skills in higher education more than ever before. This paper investigates how science students at the Faculty of Science, University of Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah, perceive and develop soft skills within an AI-influenced academic environment. Although AI is transforming the ways students learn, interact, and collaborate, human-centered competencies, such as communication, collaboration, analytical thinking, creativity, and adaptability, remain essential for both educational and professional success. Using a quantitative approach, a student questionnaire is administered to assess awareness, perceived importance, and integration of soft skills in science-oriented programs. The findings reveal a strong recognition of the value of these human skills, alongside notable gaps in their actual development across academic curricula. The study underscores an urgent need for higher education institutions to align with global shifts toward more holistic learning models. It also recommends rethinking teaching methods to directly embed soft skills within science and digital learning environments.