As artificial intelligence rapidly automates analytical and routine tasks, the demand for human-centric skills such as emotional intelligence, cross-communication, and trust-building is surging. Yet most organizations lack a structured approach to developing these capabilities. To bridge this gap, FeelWise, Minds of Light, and Strike Marketing Institute will co-host the Emotional Skill Gap Summit, a four-day virtual event from September 29 to October 2, 2026, running daily from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Central Time.
The urgency is underscored by the World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs Report 2025, which projects that 39% of core skills will evolve by 2030, with leadership and social influence rising by 22 percentage points since 2023. "Companies have a plan for AI adoption. Few have a plan for the skills AI doesn't replace," said Tina Schweiger, founder of FeelWise. "Those skills can be taught and practiced like any other, and these four days show how."
The summit features over 25 speakers, including Russell Scherwin, leadership professor at the University of Georgia and former CMO of IBM Watson Commerce; Dr. Justin James Kennedy, professor of behavioral neuroscience and TEDx speaker; Stephen Busette of Siemens; Robert Gramillano, executive coach and clinical professor at DePaul University; Dr. Charmain Jackman, CEO of InnoPsych; and Drs. Judith and Bob Wright of LiveWright. Two days will cover emotional regulation, resilience, human-centered leadership, and workplace culture.
Minds of Light Day, led by Executive Director Alison Jones, focuses on neurodivergent perspectives and communication between neurodivergent and neurotypical colleagues. "Neurodivergent people are a growing part of the workforce, and the unwritten emotional rules of most workplaces were not designed for how they communicate," Jones said. "Many spend energy every day decoding tone, masking, and translating between communication styles, on top of the job itself. Rapid change in how work gets done adds to that load. Emotional skills training has to work for every kind of mind."
Emotionally Intelligent AI Day, on October 2, is sponsored by Grand Strategy Consulting and addresses staying emotionally grounded while working alongside AI tools. Speakers include Zena Collins, consultant at Grand Strategy Consulting, a MSCEIT 2 emotional intelligence practitioner and author of Stop Wasting Time With AI.
Registration is $29, priced to allow individuals to attend without a budget approval process, and closes September 29. Attendees can add a donation to Minds of Light or bundle registration with the FeelWise emotional intelligence card deck. Recordings of every session are included. For more information and to register, visit the summit's registration page.
The summit arrives at a critical juncture. As AI adoption accelerates, the skills that differentiate humans—empathy, collaboration, and emotional regulation—are becoming the bedrock of successful teams. By providing actionable frameworks and tools, the Emotional Skill Gap Summit aims to equip learning and development, HR, and team leaders with the means to cultivate these essential skills, ensuring that organizations are not only AI-ready but also human-ready. The event's focus on neurodiversity and emotionally intelligent AI use further highlights the need for inclusive strategies that leverage all minds in the workforce. With affordable registration and recorded sessions, the summit seeks to democratize access to this crucial training, potentially setting a new standard for professional development in the AI era.
