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To investigate the transformative impact of soft skills on the career pathways of experts and students in the engineering domain.

The study adopts a comprehensive approach, combining a review of existing literature with primary data to analyse quantitative and qualitative empirical investigations. Data from 40 participants, who are engineering students and professionals, is analysed using descriptive statistics and advanced software tools like ATLAS.ti and Jamovi.

The findings underscore the indispensable nature of soft skills in elevating employability, emphasising the urgent need for mandatory soft skills education for engineering students and professionals. The research identifies the top five soft skills engineers need: communication, teamwork, time management, leadership and problem-solving.

The research contributes to understanding soft skills’ pivotal role in engineering professions, providing valuable insights for professionals and organisations aiming to enhance performance and competitiveness in the industry. The study advocates for a holistic approach that recognises the symbiotic relationship between technical proficiency and soft skills in shaping the success of engineering graduates in the 21st-century workforce.

The study recognises the current job market demands and asserts that engineers must combine technical expertise with soft skills to succeed in the technology-driven yet people-centric engineering profession.

This chapter explores the foundations of soft skills (SS) within the realm of virtual academic entrepreneurship, heavily influenced by the ongoing process of virtual transformation. An extensive review of the existing literature highlights that owing to the adaptable, combinable, programmable and generative nature of virtual technology, a fundamental aspect of virtual transformation, the cultivation of SS among higher education students is paramount. Given the intrinsic difficulty in assessing SS, the central research question addressed in this chapter is: What are the core building blocks of virtual academic entrepreneurship, and how do they take shape? The findings suggest that these competencies can be nurtured within three primary domains: (1) knowledge sharing, (2) cultural attributes and (3) individual attributes. Implications of this research underscore the role of virtual tools in supporting SS development, acknowledging their inherent complexity. The primary objective is to foster an entrepreneurial mindset among students, promoting the growth of virtual academic entrepreneurship based on these foundational principles. This chapter introduces an innovative conceptual framework that elucidates the dynamics of virtual academic entrepreneurship, specifically focusing on the role of SS. The framework delves into the complex relationships among these skills, virtual transformation and the disruptive influence of virtual technology. Its overarching goal is to cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset among students in higher education.

Purpose: This chapter examines the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on employability and dispels the misconception that AI negatively affects job opportunities. The study aims to shed light on the ways in which AI can enhance employability by complementing natural intelligence and enabling employees to demonstrate creativity in various aspects of their work.

Need for the study: In the 21st century, AI has become ubiquitous, and governments worldwide are actively promoting its integration into various industries and systems. However, concerns about the potential negative consequences of AI have emerged.

Methodology: It is reviewing commentary secondary sources of data viz. books, articles, journals, newspaper articles, reports which have been considered to bring forth the advent of AI being an important premise for the construct of employability

Findings: The findings of this study reveal that the perceived negative impact of AI on employability is a misconception. AI technology, such as Alexa, ChatGPT, and OpenAI, has made significant advancements in the market but is still unable to pass the Turing test. Consequently, it is recommended that AI companies take a pause to fully understand and address the consequences associated with AI implementation.

Practical implications: The practical implications of this study are twofold. First, it debunks the myth that AI jeopardises employability associated with natural intelligence, highlighting the importance of human skills in conjunction with AI technologies. Second, it calls for a strategic approach for organisations and governments to adapt to AI while ensuring the workforce remains adaptable and equipped with the necessary skills. This study provides insights for policymakers, employers, and individuals to embrace AI to augment human potential and improve global market productivity.