A recent HBR article (linked here) How People are Really Using Gen AI in 2025 shows a crazy trend — a shift from technical applications to more emotional, personal, learning and life organization applications.

If this is valid, what does this shift mean for workplaces and culture?

It signifies what other research supports. Lots of us are lonely and aren’t getting what we need from other humans. At work, this means more employees isolating, spending time online and

Why should businesses care? Engaged, supported employees tend to be more productive, accountable and committed.

It begs another question. Is AI developing EQ that humans today are lacking? Why are so many people turning to AI for personal, emotional and learning support? What does this mean for coaching, leadership, HR and the interpersonal side of business? Do leaders of the future become “machine managers”, monitoring AI coaches, facilitators and emotional support “staff” who nurture the interpersonal side of employee experience?

No. I don’t think it’s time to panic.

But it does raise the bar on leaders, coaches, HR, salespeople, and anyone whose job largely involves EQ, influencing and interacting with others.

To stay relevant, we must be better than the AI bots. If you’re not constantly sharpening your “soft skills” and EQ, more employees will turn to virtual humans for growth, guidance, emotional support and coaching. The machines are sharpening EQ and interpersonal skills. So do we.

What do you think? Is it hype or reality?