Mandela Philip Thomas
As AI becomes the most strategic asset for startups and corporations, we must reconsider the human element in work. If professionals in mentoring or emotionally-centered careers—such as therapists, social workers, and counselors—strategically plan their tactics, they can leverage AI for administrative and logical tasks. This frees them to focus on understanding human sociological and psychological well-being, fostering a safer and better society.
The fear is palpable: “AI is coming for our jobs.” But in all the commotion, we miss a critical question: Have we, in our reliance on technology, lost sight of our own emotional intelligence (EI)?
While AI is undeniably a powerful form of intelligence, it fundamentally lacks the human capacity for emotional judgment. It cannot truly heal, share empathy, or use a complex emotional framework to discern right from wrong—no matter how “super-intelligent” it becomes.
Our true line of defense is the emotional capacity that enables us to understand and respond to one another. But before we panic about which jobs AI will take, let’s look at the facts. In my experience, AI has primarily automated entry-level, highly repetitive, or purely data-driven tasks, not roles that demand high-level human intellect and the emotional capability to make sound judgments.
Consider placing an AI in charge of a nuclear weapon system. Even with the most sophisticated human oversight, we would still require layers of emotional and ethical judgment to prevent chaos from miscalculations. AI can detect patterns and process logic, but it cannot make a comprehensive human-emotional decision or act with a sense of moral understanding.
This is why roles in social work, psychology, therapy, mentorship, and other high-touch specializations will not only remain but become more vital.
The path forward is not to ask, “Is AI coming for my job?” but rather, “How well are we connected to our unique talents and capabilities?” The idea of AI as an “Emotional Amplifier” will not become reality as long as human emotional capability is needed—and I believe it will always be essential. As society becomes more confused, dangerous, and divided, this need becomes even more apparent, especially as workloads increase and conflicts of interest arise in evolving corporate structures.
The key to thriving in this AI revolution for human-centric professions isn’t to fight AI, but to strategically integrate it. Psychologists and social workers can benefit by allowing AI to handle logical, administrative, and data-intensive aspects of their service.
Imagine AI drafting comprehensive reports, analyzing patient data to identify trends or risk factors, and managing scheduling and billing efficiently. This frees professionals from paperwork, allowing them to focus exclusively on the emotionally connected, therapeutic part of their service. AI becomes a powerful administrative assistant, not a replacement for the therapist.
We have already seen the dangers of abandoning this human connection. Reports of individuals receiving harmful or even deadly advice from unmonitored chatbots highlight a severe risk. When users turn away from emotionally astute professionals toward purely logical, server-run tools, the outcomes can be tragic.
Why Connection is the Foundation of a Healthy Society? As a researcher and user of electronic services, I firmly believe that in this new world, the need for human intelligence and, more importantly, emotional connection is paramount. My own life was shaped by the emotional connections I received from friends, family, instructors, and my community fifteen years ago.
If we, as a society, abandon this social framework, we risk building a future characterized by social disconnection and emotional apathy. A society’s ability to be socially connected and emotionally open is the bedrock for solving complex issues like violence, abuse, drug addiction, depression, and mental health crises.
AI, in itself, lacks the capability to solve chaos requiring psychological and sociological intervention.
- Will AI stop gun violence?
- Will it prevent child or human trafficking?
- Will AI stop the flow of drugs or solve the addiction crisis across our nations?
- Will it improve educational systems to truly prepare the next generation?
Or will it, as we increasingly see with people turning to unemotional chatbots for life advice, contribute to a worsening of social well-being?
Parents and teachers—the cornerstones of preparing generations for success—cannot be adequately replaced by an unemotional, purely logical tool. Their capacity for empathy, encouragement, and ethical guidance is irreplaceable.
Let me be clear: AI is an incredibly helpful tool for logical and generative tasks. But for sound, comprehensive decisions that truly promote social well-being, human intervention—driven by empathy and emotional intelligence—must be involved.
We are entering an era where emotional intelligence is arguably becoming the most valuable commodity. We see the consequences every day when people react abruptly, driven by raw emotion without the clear ethical judgment that comes from a well-developed emotional framework.
The answer to the AI challenge isn’t fear; it’s prioritization. We must consciously cultivate and defend our unique human ability to feel, empathize, and judge with a heart, ensuring that AI serves our humanity, rather than replaces it.
What specific steps do you think professional associations (like the APA for psychologists) should take to formally train their members on AI integration and ethical boundaries?
