Can emotional intelligence prevail over AI?
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This article is authored by Christine O’Connell, Ph.D., an affiliated professor at Stony Brook University and Executive Director of the Riley’s Way Foundation.
The next generation is redefining the concept of leadership.
Key Points
Emotional intelligence is becoming the fundamental human advantage in an AI-driven world.
Generation Z is redefining success through purpose, a sense of belonging, and values-based leadership.
AI enhances intelligence but cannot replace empathy or human connection.
I recently spoke with a group of young leaders during the *Call for Kindness* leadership summit organized by Riley’s Way. They were high school and college students from across the country who are already driving real change in their local and global communities.
They told me that what they crave most right now is community and meaningful connections. They want to learn how to engage in dialogue despite differences, build trust, create spaces where people feel seen and valued, and generate real impact and innovation.
And they aren’t just waiting around; they are already doing it.
These are some of the most solid leaders I know—leaders whom people want to follow and companies want to hire. They are people who innovate, drive ideas forward, and shape the future.
At a time when artificial intelligence is rapidly expanding our capabilities, young people remind us of what truly matters.
AI can already write, diagnose, create, and respond with extraordinary fluency. Tasks that once took hours are now completed in seconds. By many measures, AI is redefining intelligence. But it also raises a quieter question: if machines are becoming better at thinking, what happens to those aspects of the human condition that have nothing to do with thought?
Intelligence is more than cognition
Emotional intelligence (EI) is our ability to perceive, manage, understand, and handle emotions—both in ourselves and in others. It shapes how we build relationships, make decisions, and lead others. Emotional intelligence skills, such as empathy and active listening, are strong indicators of long-term well-being and professional success. Leaders with high emotional intelligence are more successful and lead more successful organizations.
Research shows that compassionate leadership is linked to higher levels of engagement, trust, and performance.
Likewise, psychological safety—built through empathy, respect, and the fostering of inclusive communities—is the best predictor of high team performance. AI can process information, but it cannot support someone through uncertainty or manage tensions and body language. It does not take responsibility for another person. And that difference matters. AI can simulate empathy, but it cannot experience it (as far as we know).
This distinction becomes even more relevant as AI transforms the labor market.
The World Economic Forum (2025) estimates that, with the automation of many jobs, some of the most in-demand and fastest-growing competencies will be human skills. These include leadership and social influence, creative thinking and curiosity, motivation and self-awareness, empathy and active listening, people management, and a service orientation. At the same time, Generation Z is redefining its expectations of work. Purpose, a sense of belonging, and value alignment are no longer secondary considerations; they are fundamental.
More than ever, young people demand more from their work and from the people alongside whom they lead.
As AI transforms the workplace, technical knowledge alone is no longer enough.
Emotional intelligence skills are becoming the true differentiator. Those who stand out know how to build trust, communicate clearly, manage conflict, and unite people around a common purpose.
That is why emotional intelligence is so important today.
Skills such as empathy, self-awareness, and active listening are increasingly valuable precisely because they cannot be automated. And this is where kindness proves key: not as a slogan or an abstract ideal, but as a form of leadership that shapes culture and relationships. Leading with kindness means placing empathy, purpose, compassion, and a sense of community at the heart of decision-making. It involves caring not only about the results but also about the experience people have during the process. The focus lies as much on what we achieve as on how we achieve it.
I see this in the young people I work with every day. They choose connection over division. They create environments where people feel they belong. They ask tough questions, listen beyond differences, and engage in conversations that require empathy and courage. These types of leaders build teams where people feel valued and heard. They create spaces where new ideas emerge, innovation flourishes, and collaboration deepens—and where community is woven into the culture rather than treated as an afterthought. This is what effective leadership demands. In a world shaped by AI, leadership is less about control and more about connection; less about efficiency and more about purpose.
The young people I have spoken with understand this intuitively.
Kindness is emotional intelligence in action, and it forms the foundation for the next generation of leaders. Young people are looking for more than just “jobs.” They seek work environments where they can feel part of something, contribute, and lead based on their values. They are building networks of connection, learning to bridge divides, and leading now—not in the future. They are showing us what tomorrow could look like.
For those of us working alongside them, this moment brings a responsibility. Are we creating spaces for authentic connection? Are we modeling empathy, compassion, and courage in the way we lead? Are we investing in young people as leaders today? Because when we do, the impact doesn’t stay contained; it spreads like ripples. When young people are given the resources, mentorship, and community needed to lead, they don’t just create projects—they spark movements. And in a world defined by rapid technological evolution, that kind of leadership matters more than ever.
The future is not a dichotomy between artificial intelligence and emotional intelligence.
For while AI will continue to evolve—likely faster than we expect—the question is not whether it will become more human, but whether *we* will. Will we choose to focus on what truly matters, even as everything around us accelerates? Will we choose to prioritize what makes us human? Judging by the next generation, the answer is already taking shape: they seek not just innovation, but humanity.
In the age of artificial intelligence, our greatest advantage may well be our capacity for kindness.
AI is turning emotional intelligence into a “rare superpower”—here’s how to tell if you have it, according to a leadership expert
The following piece comes from CNBC Make It, which describes itself as follows: CNBC Make It is a financial wellness publication offering practical advice and engaging stories.
Our goal is to help you manage your money, your career, and your life more intelligently and successfully.
Through our articles, newsletters, digital videos, TV shows, events, and online courses, we provide information and inspiration to help you navigate life’s major milestones—from landing your dream job to starting a business, investing in your future, or buying a home.
Authored by contributor Carol Parker Walsh.
Artificial intelligence is becoming faster, smarter, and increasingly integrated into our work lives.
While it can be a useful tool, it is not yet capable of building trust, managing tension, or making people feel seen and valued.
Throughout my career, I have been a teacher, an employment lawyer, an HR executive, an executive coach, and a CEO. And in a world increasingly driven by AI, I have found that emotional intelligence is becoming a rare superpower—especially at work.
Here are four signs that you possess it.
- You make people feel safe
Emotionally intelligent leaders create a sense of psychological safety at work. Their colleagues know they are free to voice concerns before they escalate into problems.
If your team members only speak up when things have already gone off track, that is a cause for concern.
But if they feel comfortable telling you the truth from the start—without self-censoring or carefully weighing their words when they are with you—that is a clear sign that you possess emotional intelligence. 2. You pause before reacting
Emotionally intelligent people do not let stress dictate their behavior, nor do they rush to fix things without understanding the full picture.
This can be as simple as taking what I call a “professional pause”: wait five seconds. Allow your brain to take control over your emotions. That way, your next step will be guided by intention rather than impulse.
Then, ask these three questions to help you resolve problems calmly and purposefully:
“What have you already considered?”
“Can you help me understand what lies behind that?”
“What do you need from me right now?”
- You handle tension with ease
During conflicts, people often swing between extremes: either avoiding them in an attempt to please everyone or escalating them.
People with high emotional intelligence remain calm, address concerns directly, and know how to move forward without undermining anyone’s trust.
- You possess strong critical thinking skills
This is especially valuable today. AI can analyze data, identify patterns, and generate recommendations quickly; however, emotionally intelligent people do not simply accept the first answer an algorithm provides.
Instead, they ask three key questions:
“What is missing here?”
“Which perspective is not represented in this data?”
“Does this actually make sense for the people involved?”
Critical thinking in the age of AI is about having the awareness and judgment to know when to question the answers presented to us.
My advice is to ask yourself at the end of each day: “In what ways did I lead well today, and where did I get in my own way?” It can also be helpful to ask someone you trust: “When have you seen me struggle as a leader, and when have you seen me at my best?”
Carol Parker Walsh (JD, PhD) is an award-winning human development expert and organizational strategist, as well as the founder of Carol Parker Walsh Consulting Group. She is a TEDx speaker, a professional member of the Harvard Institute of Coaching, a recognized CNBC leadership expert, and the instructor for the CNBC *Make It Smarter* course titled “How To Be A Standout Leader.” Follow her on Instagram and LinkedIn.
Do you want to lead with confidence and bring out the best in your team? Sign up for the new CNBC online course: *How To Be A Standout Leader*. Expert instructors share practical strategies to help you build trust, communicate clearly, and motivate others to perform at their best. Sign up now and use code EARLYBIRD to get a 25% launch discount off the regular course price ($127, plus tax). Offer valid from March 16 to March 30, 2026. Terms and conditions apply.
Why Emotional Intelligence Matters in the Age of AI
The following contribution comes from Talentvis Academy, which describes itself as follows: Talentvis Academy is a professional training platform designed to help individuals and organizations grow through practical, industry-relevant training. We connect companies with experienced instructors and offer high-quality learning experiences that are flexible, impactful, and tailored to real-world needs.
Whether you are looking to enhance your skills as an individual or develop your team as a business, Talentvis Academy offers accessible and effective training solutions to drive growth.
Authored by Alifia Rahari, a member of the team.
Work environments driven by generative AI (GenAI) can be superior in terms of productivity and efficiency. However, their limitations prevent them from surpassing the human capacity for emotional intelligence (or EQ).
Work environments driven by generative AI (GenAI) can be superior in terms of productivity and efficiency. However, their limitations prevent them from surpassing the human capacity for emotional intelligence (or EQ).
As professionals, we are constantly surrounded by different people every day. Even if your role requires working independently, you won’t be working entirely alone; there are your colleagues, supervisors, and clients. Furthermore, building professional relationships with them is an important part of your career journey.
However, in an era where the use of generative AI is a constant trend, there is also a growing need to preserve the human element. As GenAI is gradually adopted across various sectors, a work environment driven by this technology can easily lose its human touch. This is where emotional intelligence comes into play.
What is emotional intelligence?
Emotional intelligence (EQ) is the ability to understand, manage, and express emotions. A person with high EQ is aware of their own emotional states and what triggers them, including negative emotions. For example, when you suddenly feel frustrated, you can identify the cause and find a solution to resolve the issue. Verywellmind cites research indicating that being emotionally intelligent also involves:
Being aware of personal strengths and limitations
Having self-confidence and self-acceptance
Having the ability to move past mistakes
Possessing a strong curiosity about others
Showing sensitivity to other people’s feelings
Feeling empathy and concern for others
In the workplace, EQ is essential for smooth communication and building harmonious relationships with colleagues and clients. For instance, by being aware of your team members’ emotions, you can manage disagreements without descending into excessive hostility—or even prevent them altogether. Emotional Intelligence and Artificial Intelligence
Technological advances have constantly transformed the way people work, and this instance is no exception. This technological integration has reached a peak in the current era of generative AI (GenAI). The commercialization of GenAI is changing how we work, communicate, and solve problems. For example, we used to gather various references to draft marketing copy; now, simply formulating the right prompt allows us to obtain what we need in moments.
As the use of GenAI is encouraged in workplace environments, this integration presents both advantages and drawbacks. A 2025 study on AI and its impact on employees noted that (generative) AI has become part of the organization, taking on the role of a collaborator alongside workers. While this enables tasks to be completed more efficiently, it also negatively affects employees’ emotional experiences. Spending
