A recent study examining the intersection of emotional intelligence (EQ) and artificial intelligence (AI) adoption found that emotional intelligence does not significantly influence how frequently employees utilize AI technologies at work. The research involved 993 professionals, who were surveyed about their emotional intelligence as well as their daily and weekly use of AI tools.
The findings indicated that EQ had no meaningful correlation with AI usage; specifically, emotional intelligence demonstrated an essentially nonexistent relationship with daily (r = –0.03, p = .37) and weekly AI use (r = –0.00, p = .92). This suggests that other factors—such as job role, industry, access to technology, and organizational expectations—play a more crucial role in AI adoption than individual emotional capabilities.
While the study’s results highlight that those with higher emotional intelligence are no more likely to engage with AI than their peers, it does raise concerns about the implications of this trend. Talent development leaders should consider the potential risks associated with low emotional intelligence among employees who frequently use AI. For instance, individuals with lower EQ may struggle with critical decision-making, potentially leading to poor outcomes when interacting with AI-driven systems. This concern is underscored by recent legal issues faced by Deloitte, which is being sued for factual inaccuracies in a report generated with AI assistance.
In addition to decision-making, communication could also suffer if employees with low emotional intelligence increasingly rely on AI for tasks such as writing emails or crafting messages. According to a report from Menlo Ventures, nearly 19% of individuals are using AI for email communication—a number that likely increases when considering other platforms like Slack. The complexity of effective communication involves a nuanced understanding of tone, social awareness, and relationship management, elements that AI has yet to master fully.
However, there is a silver lining. Employees who possess higher emotional intelligence may leverage AI as a powerful tool for enhancing their decision-making and communication skills. When emotionally intelligent individuals employ AI judiciously, they can offset some of the risks associated with low EQ by using technology to augment their capabilities rather than replace them. This creates a competitive advantage for those who can combine emotional intelligence with technological proficiency.
The developments around AI are underscoring the necessity for businesses to rethink core skills that will be vital in the evolving workplace. Reports suggest that approximately 60% of jobs may undergo significant changes by 2030, prompting organizations to focus on developing skills that will remain valuable despite technological advancements. Key skills identified by industry leaders include emotional intelligence, creativity, critical thinking, communication, decision-making, and adaptability.
Emotional intelligence serves as a foundation for many of these skills, reinforcing its importance in the AI era. As Brian Glaser, Chief Learning Officer at Google, stated, “We have an opportunity to author new ways of working that bring out the best in people and organizations. And there’s no playbook for it yet. That’s what makes this era exciting.” Companies face the challenge of adapting to a rapidly changing landscape, with emotional intelligence poised to play a critical role in guiding their future direction.
As organizations move forward, the challenge will be to cultivate emotional intelligence among employees, ensuring they can navigate the complexities introduced by AI while enhancing their interpersonal skills. While AI technology may be advancing at a rapid pace, the human touch—driven by emotional intelligence—will remain essential in shaping effective and ethical workplace practices.
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