In the era of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Emotional Intelligence (EQ) is becoming even more indispensable rather than obsolete
AI is increasingly becoming sophisticated on logical models and it will take some time before it starts to go beyond mastering logic to mastering and mirroring emotions (I personally hope it doesn’t go that far)
In the present and near future, as machines take over routine tasks, our human touch – our capacity for connection, compassion, and creativity – will be our distinguishing mark.
Key Question is – will we let our Emotional Quotient (EQ) atrophy, or will we hone it into a razor-sharp edge?
We have evolved and grown as a human race with our evolution from stone age to machine age to present world of computers and AI, if used correctly and ethically is a huge leap forward. But this power comes with a responsibility. In this article, I examine two aspects
1. Impact of Artificial Intelligence on our inherent “Confirmation biases”
As AI curates our world, feeding us more of what we already like, we risk becoming trapped in echo chambers of our own mind. Take a pause and think about it – algorithms from social media to search engines to IoT, designed to maximize engagement often do so by reinforcing existing patterns (which if not monitored and understood are driven from inherent biases). You click on one article about a political viewpoint, and suddenly, your feed is flooded with similar perspectives.
This creates a dangerous feedback loop, strengthening confirmation bias and pushing us towards extremes. Left or right, it doesn’t matter; the algorithm doesn’t care about truth, only engagement. Are you seeing the world, or just a reflection of your own preconceived notions? In a pre-AI world, this existed but is now exaggerated with increasing use of technology to drive our lives and AI based algorithms.
Now, more than ever, self-awareness and a finely tuned EQ are critical. Imagine having the clarity to recognize when you’re being manipulated, the strength to seek out opposing viewpoints, the empathy to understand perspectives different from your own. That’s the power of EQ in the age of AI. It’s your shield against manipulation, your compass in a world of information overload.
Will you let algorithms dictate your reality, or will you cultivate the emotional intelligence to navigate this new landscape with wisdom and discernment? Develop your EQ, not just for yourself, but for the future of informed, nuanced discourse. Your mind is your castle; don’t let algorithms lay siege to it.
2. Impact of AI on Conversations, Negotiations and Conflict resolution
We walk a tight rope as we develop AI that reads human emotions. AI is being trained to analyze facial expressions with chilling accuracy, which than helps in predicting the outcome of conversations. Like every other advancement, this could be used for betterment – improving meetings, fostering mutual understanding, building bridges of common views. But what if this advancement goes unchecked, and is weaponized? Used to manipulate the vulnerable? To exploit the gullible? The ethical implications are staggering.
The moral and ethical dilemma is will we use this technology to elevate humanity or exploit it? Will we build a future where emotional AI empowers us to connect more deeply, or one where our innermost feelings are laid bare, open to manipulation and control? The choice, as always, rests with us. The first step towards choice is being present in the moment, being self aware of one’s own feelings, overcoming animal instincts inherited from being part of food chain during our early evolutions and building genuine understanding of emotions of others. Only than there is a chance that we may be able to fight technology when it starts to manipulates us or others, where we are in a conversation.
We must wield this power with wisdom, foresight, and a deep respect for the human heart. The future of emotional intelligence isn’t just about developing our own EQ; it’s about ensuring that artificial intelligence serves humanity, not the other way around.
Want to read more blogs on Emotional Intelligence ?
https://humancompass.in/stop-chasing-the-output-focus-on-your-input/
/https://humancompass.in/9-actionable-steps-to-building-personal-resiliency/
/https://humancompass.in/effective-conflict-management-4-quadrant-approach/
