Disrupting Technology Conference – Human-Technology Skill Complementarity
Leeds, 17 July 2025 – Professor Na Fu, Chair of Responsible Leadership at Trinity Business School, presented research at the Disrupting Technology Conference 2025, hosted by the Centre for Employment Relations, Innovation and Change (CERIC) at the University of Leeds.
Their presentation explored human–technology skill complementarity, a concept that moves beyond traditional “substitution” or “augmentation” models of digital transformation. This research highlights a dynamic two-way synergy between humans and advanced digital technologies, such as AI and robotics, where each enhances and evolves the other’s capabilities.
“Rather than viewing technology as a static tool, we see it as part of a learning partnership. As people adapt to new technologies, their own skills evolve, while these technologies ‘learn’ and improve through human input and feedback. This synergy is crucial for building more effective, adaptive, and inclusive workplaces.”
This concept, known as human–technology skill complementarity, describes a dynamic two-way synergy in which both human and technological skills reinforce and support each other, whether at the level of tasks, teams, or entire organisations. For instance, in healthcare, AI can rapidly analyse vast datasets to support faster and more accurate diagnoses, while doctors contribute essential expertise, empathy, and context that machines cannot replicate. In the workplace, AI can automate routine analysis, but humans remain vital for creative thinking, decision-making, and navigating complex social dynamics.
Understanding this complementarity is crucial as organisations and societies adopt increasingly advanced technologies. The research not only reframes how we think about human-tech collaboration but also offers practical insights into building more effective, adaptive, and inclusive workplaces. A focus on the mutual development of human and technological skills will be key to thriving in a rapidly evolving digital world.
The conceptual framework is co-authored by Jiamin Li (Trinity Business School & Northeastern University, China), Professor Anette Hallin, Professor Chris Ivory, and Christoffer Andersson (Mälardalen University, Sweden), Dr Laura Piscicelli (Utrecht University, Netherlands), Professor Ana M. Moreno and Professor Ernestina Menasalvas (Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Spain),
The TechConnect project sharing at the Disrupting Technology Conference continues to build bridges between researchers and practitioners, fostering collaborative approaches to the opportunities and challenges of AI adoption in work and education across Europe.