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Companies are increasingly using artificial intelligence (AI) to improve efficiency, save time and reduce costs. The constant evolution of AI is profoundly reconfiguring the employment landscape, increasing uncertainty in business and relationships, leading to reflection on the impact of this veritable digital revolution on the management of interpersonal relationships.

image: LinkedIn

As machines become increasingly capable of performing complex tasks and simulating human interactions, understanding and developing emotional intelligence is becoming more and more of a necessity in organizations. In this context, a question arises: how do we balance artificial intelligence (AI) with emotional management?

We can say that AI is yet another wave of innovation that has emerged in human history, like so many others, but with one major difference: the fact that it is proliferating at a breakneck pace never seen before! At some point it will be responsible for organizing parties, managing agendas, developing business strategies and creating cancer drugs. This power, accessible to many, amplifies motivations and challenges in all sectors of society, democratizing technological capacity, regardless of social status and financial capacity.

Artificial intelligence (AI) in organizations

To better understand how companies use artificial intelligence, Forbes Advisor interviewed 600 managers who use or plan to incorporate AI into their businesses, concluding that the majority of organizations believe that artificial intelligence will benefit them. A substantial number of entrepreneurs (64%) predict that AI will improve customer relations and increase productivity, while 60% expect AI to boost sales growth. Companies also expect it to help save costs (59%) and streamline work processes (42%), with almost all (97%) believing that ChatGPT will help their business. However, more than 40% are concerned about over-reliance on technology.

image: Forbes Advisor

Although there are concerns, such as technological dependence and the potential reduction of work teams, the majority of entrepreneurs foresee a positive impact from the implementation of AI. The expected benefits of ChatGPT, such as the rapid generation of content, the personalization of customer experiences and the simplification of work processes, demonstrate the transformative potential of artificial intelligence in various aspects of business. In this scenario, the fundamental question arises: how will we, the people, manage our time, our relationships and, above all, our emotions in a context of such accelerated change?

With the implementation of AI, the automation of more routine tasks can be a major challenge for leaders, but it also gives them the opportunity to devote more time to the more complex and human aspects of management, such as understanding the emotional needs of employees.

Today’s digital challenges have transcended the mere integration of technology into daily operations. Work-life balance is taking center stage, directly influencing employees’ emotional well-being. As the boundaries between work and everyday life blur, the need for an empathetic and balanced approach to leadership becomes even more evident.

Remote working, catalyzed by technology, is now an established norm. Despite the benefits in terms of flexibility, the complexity of working remotely becomes apparent, with possible impacts on socialization, team dynamics and creativity. Leaders therefore face the challenge of staying emotionally connected with their teams, even when physically separated.

So leading from a distance is not just a technical matter, but also a foray into the emotional complexities of human interaction. Empathy, understanding and effective communication become vital elements for leading in a world where artificial intelligence coexists with human emotions.

How to develop Emotional Intelligence?

In the broader context of the world of work, emotional (r)evolution redefines organizational dynamics. The ability to recognize and deal with emotions, regardless of their origin, is now a crucial skill for leaders and employees. Artificial intelligence, by imitating human emotions, challenges us to reconsider the meaning of authenticity and the depth of our connections.

image: staffbase

In this sense, it is crucial for leaders and employees to be aware of their abilities and limits, encouraging constant feedback and embracing criticism as constructive (Self-Awereness), as well as having a positive focus and knowing how to control emotions (Self-Regulation).

In addition, keeping teams motivated and ready to take on new challenges is a relevant step in developing emotional intelligence (Motivation), as well as establishing secure foundations of trust and empathy between employees and leaders (Empathy). Social skills in solving any problems must take into account everyone’s point of view on the situation and a solution must be found that can benefit employees as holistically as possible (Social Skills).

The emotional revolution triggered by the growing presence of artificial intelligence in the workplace presents unique challenges and opportunities. Recognizing emotions as real, regardless of whether they are generated by humans or machines, is an essential step towards building more balanced, compassionate and productive work environments.

In this evolving scenario, intelligence may be artificial, but emotions, whether generated by it or not, are undeniably real. This paradigm challenges us to rethink not only the nature of technology, but also what it means to be truly human in a world increasingly permeated by thinking machines.

Article by Sérgio Almeida, in partnership with the daily newspaper Vida económica.