Humans vs. Machines

The case for emotional intelligence

The Rise of the Robots

Will robots take over the world?

…probably not.

Despite concerns and scare mongering, it is unlikely that we will see robots in any kind of power, (at least in our lifetime!).

However, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI), machines, and automation is undoubtedly reshaping the world as we know it.

From streamlining workflows to predicting business trends, AI is revolutionising how organisations operate and make decisions.

As technology continues to advance, a vital question emerges: where do humans fit in?

Why Emotional Intelligence Matters

At its core, AI is designed to replicate human intelligence and behaviour, minimising the need for hands-on human intervention.

While AI can imitate certain aspects of human thinking, it lacks the capacity to feel, empathise, or understand context in the way people do.

Emotional intelligence (EI) refers to our ability to recognise, understand, use, and manage emotions – both our own and those of others.

These skills influence how we build relationships, make decisions, cope with change or stress, and express ourselves at work, making it an essential counterbalance to the rise of artificial intelligence.

The complexity of the organisational landscape requires far more than technical skill alone. And if we expect AI to provide answers to our more emotional or interpersonal challenges, it will fall short.

For example, if you asked AI how to respond to a distressed colleague in an emotionally intelligent way, it might offer general guidance such as listening actively, responding calmly, or offering support.

But what it cannot do is notice the distinctions in your colleague’s tone of voice, body language, expression, or personal context – the very elements that inform how humans respond with empathy and understanding.

You may even ask AI to support you through a tricky emotional situation you’re experiencing yourself. However, this still relies on you accurately identifying the emotion you’re feeling and understanding what’s causing it.

Without that clarity, AI may generate suggestions based on the emotion you think you’re experiencing – which is only helpful if you already have strong emotional self-awareness.

In other words, if you misinterpret your own or others’ emotions, AI will simply follow your lead, offering advice that may completely miss the mark.

Bridging the Gap

While AI can save organisations time and resources in the short term, it’s essential not to underestimate the unique and nuanced emotions humans bring to the workplace – emotions that require other humans to perceive, engage with, and manage effectively.

AI excels at processing information, identifying patterns, and predicting outcomes, but it cannot truly grasp the subtle dynamics of human relationships.

EI fills this gap, enabling leaders and teams to respond to feelings, motivations, and interpersonal challenges with empathy, insight, and adaptability.

The future of work doesn’t lie in choosing between AI and EI, but in learning how they can complement each other.

As workplaces become more digitised, leaders who can harness the efficiency of technology without losing empathy and human insight will be best placed to thrive.

So, next time you use AI to make a human decision, remember that behind every data point is a person with emotions, motivations, and experiences that no algorithm can fully capture.

Find out more about leveraging emotional intelligence.