Application of artificial intelligence in higher education institutions for developing soft skills of future specialists in the sphere of information technology

Abstract This paper aims to delineate the significant role of artificial intelligence (AI) in developing the soft skills of future information technology (IT) professionals. To achieve this goal, the authors give some relevant considerations concerning using AI in teaching humanitarian subjects and explore the use of AI to develop soft skills essential for future IT professionals. First, the analysis of the survey results confirms that students are not aware that using AI in education is very helpful. That is why many students (51.8%) do not use them at all. Therefore, we have an intention to give the examples of the use of AI tools for educational purposes to equip students, first of all, with understanding of soft skills value, and, secondly, let them complete the tasks that contribute to the development and improvement of their soft skills. Second, we defined that the soft skills (communication, negotiation, problem-solving, finding a common language with colleagues and clients, public speaking, and intercultural) are essential for conducting professional communication with colleagues in the sphere of IT to satisfy the demands of the IT industry in the modern-day world. Third, the paper contributes scientifically to investigating the integration of AI technologies in the university-level educational landscape. Integrating AI in higher education institutions offers a promising route for developing or boosting the soft skills necessary for future specialists in the field of IT. Drawing on a comprehensive review of literature focusing on the use of AI technologies in the contemporary world and considering the empirical data from the online survey, the study investigates the opportunities of AI tools to foster soft skills required to achieve the active collaboration of IT employees for companies.