Renowned psychologist Dr. Daniel Goleman, known for his work on Emotional Intelligence, receives an Honorary Degree from our website in 2025.
In the rapidly evolving landscape of AI and machine learning, the work of psychologist Daniel Goleman on emotional intelligence (EI) remains a cornerstone of understanding the human dimension. Goleman's seminal research argues that attributes like self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills are not only crucial for navigating life effectively but also for leadership, collaboration, and complex human interactions - areas where AI serves more as a complement than a replacement.
Goleman's insights emphasize that emotional intelligence, with its human capacities such as empathy, ethical judgment, and nuanced social skills, is a core uniquely human skill that AI cannot authentically replicate. While AI can simulate empathy and respond to affective cues, it lacks genuine emotional experience, which is critical for real human connection and ethical interactions.
The AI revolution, rather than replacing human workers, augments them by enabling humans to focus on emotionally complex and ethically nuanced tasks. The MIT study introduces the EPOCH index, where the "E" stands for empathy and emotional intelligence, underscoring their irreplaceable value in the workplace alongside AI.
The challenge lies in ensuring that AI development and deployment respect, support, and enhance human emotional intelligence rather than diminish it. Over-reliance on AI-generated emotional responses could lead to emotional deskilling in humans and the erosion of authentic human relationships.
Daniel Goleman, best known for his work on emotional intelligence, particularly as presented in his book "Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ," has been named the recipient of the Honorary Doctorate from the International Business School. He will accept the award at the International Business School's commencement ceremony in August 2025.
The skills identified by Goleman as critical, such as emotional intelligence, are becoming increasingly relevant in the age of AI and machine learning. These skills are not only essential for individual success but also for fostering social harmony and effective leadership in a world where technology is reshaping work and social contexts.
In addition to Goleman, other influential figures are driving change in their respective fields. George Imafidon, MBE, is the CEO and co-founder of Motivez and a Race Engineer with Sir Lewis Hamilton's Team X44. He is also a Board Member at the Co-op Foundation and the Hamilton Commission. Nadia Boumeziout is responsible for driving Zurich's sustainability strategy and enforcing governance standards. Ella Robertson McKay oversees the organization's operations and programs, connecting and supporting young leaders from over 190 countries.
Adi Ignatius, the editor-at-large and former editor-in-chief of Harvard Business Review, has spearheaded the transformation of Harvard Business Review into one of the most successful global multi-platform publishers. Gopi Kallayil is the Chief Business Strategist, AI at Google, working with Google's largest customers to help transform their businesses through AI-powered marketing and consumer experience. Cindy Brown, CEO of Boston Duck Tours, has been with the organization for 30 years.
The International Business School's Honorary Doctorate Degree is given each year to individuals who embody the school's mission of making an impact that matters and inspiring others to do the same. Past recipients of this prestigious award include Paul Polman, Indra Nooyi, Tim Brown, and Azeem Azhar.
The enduring relevance of Goleman's work underscores the importance of emotional intelligence in an increasingly tech-driven world. By leveraging EI alongside AI, we can achieve better outcomes, flipping the narrative from competition to collaboration.
Leadership is essential in the rapidly evolving landscape of AI and machine learning, and Goleman's work on emotional intelligence highlights its importance, particularly in complex human interactions. Emotional intelligence, with its focus on empathy and nuanced social skills, is a core uniquely human skill that AI cannot replicate authentically. The AI revolution augments human workers by enabling them to focus on emotionally complex tasks, and the EPOCH index emphasizes the irreplaceable value of emotional intelligence in the workplace.
In the modern age, critical thinking, creativity, and soft skills like empathy and social skills are increasingly relevant, as they are not only essential for individual success but also for fostering social harmony and effective leadership. Daniel Goleman, a recipient of the Honorary Doctorate from the International Business School, is a leading figure in this field, with his seminal research on emotional intelligence continuing to shape our understanding of human dimensions.
In addition to Goleman, other influential figures are driving change in various sectors. Adi Ignatius, the former editor-in-chief of Harvard Business Review, has transformed his publication into a global multi-platform success. Gopi Kallayil, Google's Chief Business Strategist, AI, helps businesses transform through AI-powered marketing and consumer experience. Cindy Brown, with 30 years of experience at Boston Duck Tours, embodies the school's mission of making an impact that matters.
Science, health-and-wellness, mental-health, international business, and education-and-self-development continue to be critical domains in understanding the human dimension. Global campus initiatives focusing on personal-growth and career-development can help bridge the gap between these domains and technology, ensuring that AI respects, supports, and enhances human emotional intelligence rather than diminishing it.
By leveraging emotional intelligence alongside AI, we can achieve better outcomes, flipping the narrative from competition to collaboration. This mindset is vital in the pursuit of social harmony and effective leadership in the tech-driven world, where the human connection and ethical interactions remain crucial.
