Artificial intelligence (AI) has become increasingly present in our daily lives, from algorithms recommending movies and music to medical diagnostic systems and autonomous cars, its advances have been rapid and impressive, raising questions about the future of technology and its impact on society. According to a Gartner report from 2024, it is projected that by 2027, 70% of business interactions will involve some form of AI, but those with the most decisive impact will still rely on authentic human connections. Therefore, the central question is provocative: in the future, what will really make a difference, machines that calculate or people who feel?
With each advancement of AI, we are forced to look inward. After all, what does it really mean to be human? The answer lies in emotions, resilience, and the ability to lead with purpose. Today, emotional intelligence is not just desirable, it is essential to navigate a world that is changing at an exponential pace. A study by TalentSmart (2023) reveals that 90% of high-performance professionals have high levels of emotional intelligence, while only 20% of low-performing individuals demonstrate this ability. Want a practical example? Think of the leader who prioritizes connection with their team – they listen, adjust, act with empathy. This leader not only inspires – they build a culture that no machine can replicate.
However, AI’s rapid advancement also raises concerns. One of them is the impact on the job market, with the possibility of machines increasingly replacing workers in various professions. The World Economic Forum, in a 2023 report, predicts that 85 million jobs could be automated away by 2025, but at the same time, 97 million new jobs will be created, especially in areas that require human skills such as critical thinking, creativity, and emotional intelligence. It must be pointed out: dependence on AI is dangerous. For example, when leaders base their decisions solely on data, they lose something essential: vision, as AI can tell the “how,” but never the “why,” algorithms identify patterns but are unable to deal with ambiguity – the terrain where the greatest opportunities arise. And yet, here goes another alert: organizations that dehumanize their operations in the name of efficiency are digging their own graves, customers may admire technology, but trust in people and teams, respect processes, but follow leaders.
Now, an inevitable question: how are you preparing to lead in this constantly changing world? Technological updating is no longer a choice, it is an obligation. But, beware: this is just the beginning. More than ever, it is essential to go beyond machines and invest in what makes us unique – our ability to understand, adapt, and inspire. This is the moment to develop something deeper: charisma in all its dimensions, the emotional intelligence that connects, the social intelligence that builds genuine relationships, the contextual intelligence that allows us to navigate complex scenarios, these are the true differentiators of a leader who wishes not only to survive but thrive in a world driven by change. Because, in the end, technology can simulate almost everything, except what makes us human.
In the world we are building, everyone’s priority should be clear: to develop emotional intelligence. And here is the crucial point: emotional intelligence is not a gift reserved for a few, luckily, it can be learned, enhanced, and turned into your greatest competitive advantage. It all starts with a decision: to improve. Cultivating this skill is not a luxury; it is a necessity. It is what separates leaders who inspire and transform from those who will be forgotten, because in a scenario where machines do more but feel less, those who master the art of emotionally connecting will always be indispensable.
Finally, the future does not solely belong to AI or emotional intelligence. It belongs to those who know how to integrate these two forces. Leaders who master technology but maintain a human touch will be the true protagonists of this new era.
By Éric Machado, CEO of Revna
