Parallels, Inc. CEO Christa Quarles From Semafor World Economy

Why It Matters

The emphasis on empathy reshapes hiring, education, and investment strategies, positioning human‑centric capabilities as the next growth frontier.

Key Takeaways

• Fear of AI eliminating future jobs dominates boardroom discussions
• Historical shifts: muscle, brain, now “heart” power defines economy
• Empathy is the skill AI cannot replicate, per Quarles
• Poets and literature majors may gain relevance in AI era
• Parallels CEO urges focus on human-centric roles for 2026

Summary

Parallels Inc. CEO Christa Quarles addressed a Semafor World Economy audience, warning that executives are increasingly preoccupied with the prospect that artificial intelligence could erase future employment opportunities for the next generation. She framed the conversation around a recurring boardroom anxiety: “no work is going to be left for our kids.”

Quarles traced the evolution of economic drivers—from muscle power in tribal societies, to brain power during the industrial revolution, and now what she calls “heart power” in 2026. She argued that empathy, the capacity to understand and share feelings, is the one capability AI cannot replicate, making it a critical differentiator for human labor.

“Empathize is what we cannot train AI to do,” she said, highlighting poets, literature majors, and other creators as likely to see heightened demand. The CEO suggested that roles centered on emotional intelligence will become the bulwark against widespread automation.

For businesses, the message is clear: invest in talent and training that amplify empathy and human connection, and re‑evaluate strategies that rely solely on technological efficiency. Companies that embed heart‑centric skills into their workforce may secure a competitive edge as AI reshapes the labor market.

Original Description

Parallels, Inc. CEO Christa Quarles from Semafor World Economy answering the question "What is the most surprising impact of the AI revolution, and how will that impact redefine how companies compete?": "It's heart power. One of the things we cannot train AI to do is empathize. And those skills - the poets, literature majors, etc., may become more important as that is the work that is least likely to be offloaded to an AI.”