What does HuReq mean?

HuReq (pronounced HYOO-rek) is a word meaning 'Human Required.' It describes a job, task, or activity that requires human involvement, judgment, or supervision and cannot be adequately performed by artificial intelligence alone.

How do you pronounce HuReq?

HuReq is pronounced HYOO-rek (/ˈhjuːrek/). It rhymes with 'queue' and 'wreck' combined.

What are examples of HuReq jobs?

HuReq jobs include therapists, nurses, teachers, social workers, surgeons, clergy, crisis negotiators, and any role requiring empathy, moral judgment, or genuine human connection.

Is HuReq a real word?

HuReq is a new word created for the AI age, combining 'Human' and 'Required.' It's part of a campaign to add this useful term to the English language through everyday use.

How to Make Your Job More HuReq (And More Fulfilling)

Every job has HuReq elements and automatable elements. The key to career security and job satisfaction is shifting your focus toward the HuReq parts.

Here's how.

Step 1: Audit Your Current Role

Start by mapping your responsibilities:

List everything you do in a typical week, then categorize:

•🤖 Automatable: Routine, repetitive, rule-based tasks

•🤝 HuReq: Tasks requiring judgment, empathy, creativity, or connection

Be honest. Many people overestimate how much of their work is truly HuReq.

Use our HuReq vs. Automatable framework for a structured assessment.

Step 2: Delegate or Automate the Routine

Look at your automatable tasks and ask:

•Can this be delegated to AI tools? (ChatGPT, automation software)

•Can this be systematized so it takes less time?

•Can this be eliminated entirely?

The goal is to free up time for HuReq activities.

Examples:

Automatable Task	Solution
Data entry	Use automation tools
Scheduling	AI scheduling assistants
First-draft writing	AI writing assistants
Research gathering	AI summarization

Step 3: Volunteer for HuReq Responsibilities

Actively seek out work that's:

•Client-facing: Direct human interaction

•Mentorship-oriented: Teaching and guiding others

•Judgment-intensive: Complex decisions with no clear right answer

•Creative: Generating novel ideas or approaches

•Emotional: Supporting people through change or difficulty

When your manager asks for volunteers, choose the HuReq tasks.

Step 4: Develop Your HuReq Skills

Invest in capabilities that make you better at HuReq work:

•Emotional intelligence — Read our guide to HuReq skills

•Communication — Clear, empathetic, persuasive

•Creative thinking — Original ideas and fresh perspectives

•Leadership — Inspiring and guiding others

Step 5: Reframe Your Role

Sometimes the shift is about narrative as much as action.

Instead of: "I process invoices"

Try: "I ensure our vendors have a smooth payment experience and maintain relationships that keep our supply chain healthy"

Instead of: "I write reports"

Try: "I translate complex data into insights that help leaders make better decisions"

The HuReq framing isn't just spin—it often reveals the actual value you provide.

Step 6: Propose HuReq Projects

Don't wait for permission. Propose initiatives that leverage your human strengths:

•"I'd like to create a mentorship program for new hires"

•"Can I lead our customer feedback listening sessions?"

•"I want to develop training materials for our team's judgment-heavy decisions"

These projects make you more valuable and more fulfilled.

The Fulfillment Connection

Here's the secret: HuReq work is usually more meaningful.

The tasks that require genuine human involvement—connecting with people, solving novel problems, making moral judgments, creating something new—are also the tasks that give us a sense of purpose.

When you make your job more HuReq, you're not just future-proofing your career. You're making your work more satisfying.

The Bottom Line

You don't have to change jobs to become more HuReq. You can shift your focus, develop new skills, and gradually transform your existing role.

Start today: What's one routine task you can automate, and one HuReq responsibility you can take on?