CONTRARY to the general perception, nobody’s job is at risk owing to artificial intelligence (AI) because emotional intelligence (EI) is a critical skill that humans possess, and that supersedes AI. Machines excel at performing tasks efficiently, but they lack the ability to understand and respond to human emotions.

This makes EI increasingly important in industries that rely on human interaction, creativity and adaptability. First, EI enhances human interactions, which is vital in industries like healthcare, education and customer services. Effective communication, building relationships, and understanding others’ perspectives are crucial for success in these fields.

Additionally, EI fosters creativity and innovation, which are essential in industries that depend on human ingenuity. While machines can analyse data and follow predefined algorithms, they lack the ability to think creatively and generate new ideas.

EI enables humans to think out of the box, take risks, and devise innovative solutions to complex problems.

Moreover, EI promotes resilience and adaptability that are crucial in an era where the job market is rapidly changing due to AI.

Workers need to be able to adapt to new technologies and roles. Individuals with high EI can cope with change, bounce back from setbacks, and embrace new challenges with a positive attitude.

Furthermore, EI plays a role in preventing biases in AI whose algorithms are only as unbiased as the data they are trained on. If the data contains biases, the AI system will replicate and reinforce them. EI helps humans identify and address biases in data, ensuring that AI systems are fair and equitable.

As machines become more intelligent and automated, human skills like EI become increasingly valuable. By developing EI, one can enhance human interactions, foster creativity, promote resilience and adaptability, and contribute to unbiased AI.

With AI integration continuing, it is important to remember that EI is a unique quality that sets us apart as humans, safeguar­ding our jobs from the feared encroachment of automation processes.

Samrah Qureshi
Karachi

Published in Dawn, May 31st, 2023