Soft skills in the age of AI: conceptualizing the AI+EQ framework

Purpose With the advancement of artificial intelligence (AI), organizations are currently remodelling the way they make decisions and assess performance, as well as talent management. Productivity thrives using algorithmic systems which lack emotional intelligence (EI) and can result in incompetence, trust, moral and ethical issues. Design/methodology/approach The purpose of this paper is to present the AI+EQ framework, a strategic leadership design that enables organizations to achieve the right balance of machine-driven decision-making and human decision-making skills. Findings The framework discusses four areas of EI, including self-awareness, self-regulation, empathy and social skills, in the context of leadership challenges created by AI usage, such as algorithmic bias, emotional fluctuations and communication failures. Practical implications Practitioner vignettes show how emotionally attuned leadership can compensate for the absence of automation under such difficult circumstances as promotions and layoffs, and during times of change. Originality/value Unlike traditional discussions of responsible AI or emotionally intelligent leadership, however, the AI+EQ framework offers tactical advice on how to lead and prosper in the age of AI.