New trends in the workplace: 82% of employees say the AI era requires more humanity

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a transformative force dominating the world of work. We've seen that it's reshaping workflows, improving efficiency, and is expected to bring higher levels of productivity to various industries.

While the technical capabilities of artificial intelligence are unquestionable, we must also recognize the importance of human-specific skills, particularly the ability to “connect” with each other, has always existed, and is even growing day by day.

In an age dominated by algorithms, cultivating real relationships is no longer a “soft skill,” but is becoming a core driving force for innovation and progress. Today, people in the workplace are more eager to build close relationships, gain a sense of belonging, and want to be noticed and valued.

In fact, McKinsey & Company research shows that among the top reasons former employees left their jobs, 54% said they felt they were not taken seriously by the organization, 52% felt that they were not taken seriously by management, and 51% said they lacked a sense of belonging in the workplace.

Furthermore, numerous studies have found that loneliness in the workplace can lead to decreased work performance, reduced satisfaction, deteriorating relationships between employees and superiors, and increased burnout.

It's critical for businesses to understand how relationships benefit their business.

01.

Artificial intelligence and human elements

There is no doubt that the future of artificial intelligence is broad — it can analyze data in seconds and automate complex tasks.

However, this powerful ability also poses a potential contradiction: if we lack deliberate guidance, artificial intelligence may create “knowledge silos,” limit our access to different perspectives, and stifle innovation. And by connecting with each other, truly understanding, and being able to appreciate others from different life experiences and backgrounds, this is the key to inspiring innovation and solving common problems.

This demand and desire for emotional connection is already changing the application direction of artificial intelligence. Research from the Harvard Business Review shows that the primary use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) is currently to “provide emotional companionship or psychological counseling,” while just last year, its main use was “generating ideas.”

02.

Research on emotional connection

Academic researchers and non-profit organizations are conducting research related to human relationships, such as Workday Foundation grantee More in Common, which is carrying out in-depth research on “connection.” Their two-year study, The Connection Opportunity, revealed a basic human truth: humans naturally crave emotional connection.

The study found that 66% of respondents from all groups in the US believe they can learn valuable things from people with different backgrounds, and 70% also believe they are responsible for doing so. Another survey showed that 82% of Americans more or less agree that “a nation's success depends on our ability to collaborate across differences,” and most express a desire to better understand each other.

As we work towards common goals, core values and a shared vision hold us together. Actively seeking this consensus and fostering positive interaction, whether in our personal lives or within our organization, can help us overcome differences.

Feeling connected is not only beneficial to our own health, but is also critical to the operating results of the business.

According to the study, 94% of employees said that close relationships with colleagues made them more efficient at work, while they were four times more likely to get job satisfaction and were half less likely to leave the job within the next year.

More in Common has identified a key “connecting bond” — shared values and experiences that can bring together seemingly disparate groups. These bonds take many forms, from a shared commitment to the well-being of the community to ensuring that participants believe they have something in common, such as the same identity or interests.

This focus on shared values and active pursuit of connection is highly compatible with the philosophy that Workday upholds. This also highlights the importance of supporting non-profit organizations and funding partners such as More in Common, U.S. Chamber of Connection, One America, and New Pluralists, as this is the key to thriving business and society.

03. Excellence: Skills in the AI Era

Workday's latest global study “Enhancing Human Potential: The AI Skills Revolution” explores the gradual impact of artificial intelligence on the workplace.

Notably, the study found that while artificial intelligence is bound to change the way we work, it is also increasing the importance of human-specific skills such as empathy, ethical decision-making ability, conflict resolution ability, and the ability to build relationships.

The study also confirmed that with the spread of artificial intelligence applications, there is a growing demand for enhanced human connections among employees — 82% of employees are aware that this demand is increasing.

 

 

04. Put emotional connection at the core of leadership

Together, these studies reveal a critical leadership mission: as we incorporate artificial intelligence more deeply into our workflows, we must consciously create an environment that prioritizes “true emotional connection” and “development of core human skills.”

This means creating intentional spaces (whether offline or online) to encourage open dialogue, active listening, and respectful exchange of diverse opinions. Leaders should promote empathy and the development of interpersonal skills in the team, and actively create valuable networking opportunities for employees in an AI-driven environment.

Ultimately, the future of innovation and progress will depend on our ability to use AI to amplify our unique human capabilities, and above all, our innate drive to “connect with each other.” By prioritizing human relationships and developing these essential skills, we can ensure that AI enables a more collaborative, innovative, and ultimately more human-centered future of work.