𝐇𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 & 𝐀𝐈 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝟐: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐕𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

As AI becomes ubiquitous, what will be the role of humans? This four-part series discusses humanity's enduring value.

The aim is to encourage more startups to reinforce humanity, not replace it. The full premise for this series is detailed below.*

Strong societies require support through interdependency. However, AI further allows people to interact without actually communicating directly. No emotions, no nuance, and no differentiating tone and body language.

Connection has value for everyone in their physical health, mental wellness, and community strength, often causing us to live longer and happier.

In business, higher emotional intelligence often results in more effective team progress. Let’s dig into these benefits.

𝘗𝘩𝘺𝘴𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘩 

Research shows that social connection can lead to a longer life, better health, and improved well-being.

Being around others strengthens the immune system, helps faster recovery from diseases, and even increases longevity.

Conversely, a lack of social connection can be more harmful to health than obesity, smoking, and high blood pressure.

𝘔𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘭 𝘞𝘦𝘭𝘭𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴

Social connection can lower anxiety and depression, help regulate emotions, lead to higher self-esteem, and foster greater empathy.

Furthermore, it can boost mood, reduce stress, and improve self-esteem. Meanwhile, a lack of connection has negative effects.

Making new connections can initially feel awkward, but it leads to great insights, support, and happiness.

𝘉𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘊𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘺

A sense of community, belonging, and supportive connections encourage positive outcomes.

"𝘼𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙬𝙚 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙙𝙤 𝙨𝙤 𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙩𝙡𝙚; 𝙩𝙤𝙜𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙬𝙚 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙙𝙤 𝙨𝙤 𝙢𝙪𝙘𝙝." 
— Helen Keller

We see this in companies when people suggest, build, and challenge ideas constructively through task forces, brainstorming, and feedback.

We also find mutual benefits in joint business and community ventures, such as sponsoring a learning center to help train future employees.

Being surrounded by people who support our goals can be uplifting, and the opposite is true.

𝘚𝘵𝘳𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳 𝘓𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱

Emotional Intelligence is the ability to understand, manage, and communicate one's emotions. By relating better with stakeholders, a leader increases support for their vision.

I’ve known founders who do not care about others’ feelings. Many employees eventually leave or withhold information due to apathy or fear.

I’ve also worked with founders who fear offending anyone. They do not push their employees, who perform poorly, which discourages others at work.

By finding the balance, you can express the company’s goals and candidly manage people to support them best.**

AI has extraordinary value. However, we should be mindful that AI cannot replace the benefits of connectedness to improve our lives and leadership.

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* 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗶𝘀𝗲: Change inevitably involves tradeoffs. As AI continues to advance, solving complex and widespread problems, we must consider what humanity might lose in the process. This four-part series on 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗲𝘀 𝗛𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 explores how failure, connection, creativity, and purpose benefit humanity in the hope that startups build solutions where AI and humanity converge meaningfully.

**When an employee has an issue affecting their work, you may be tempted to give advice or act. Instead ask, "Do you want to be helped, heard, or hugged?" to clarify how to be most useful.

Previous posts are Startups at the Convergence of Innovation and Humanity (https://bit.ly/48FQhFp) and Part 1: The Value of Failure (https://bit.ly/4c30y19).

Our latest newsletter includes posts on When to Quit and When to Hire a Dev Team: https://bit.ly/3VgsLM9
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This post was written by me with AI editing.