Keeping AI “Real” with EI: Preserving What it Means to be Human

Thirty-five years ago, emotional intelligence (EI) was introduced as a key concept in psychology. Today, the field of SEL is helping teachers bring it into classrooms and CEOs see it as essential to the 21st-century workplace. But as EI gained popularity so did digital technology, including social media and AI platforms. Why does this matter? Research shows that mental health and social connection have plummeted, in part, due to our over consumption of technology. It’s not impossible to course correct and there are real consequences if we don’t. Marc Brackett, Ph.D. is Founding Director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, Professor in the Yale Child Study Center, and author of the best-selling book, Permission To Feel.