Abstract Book of the 9th World Conference on Future of Education
Year: 2025
[PDF]
Human Connection in The Digital Era: Enhancing Communication Skills for The AI Age
Dr. Bindu Ranaut
ABSTRACT:
In the age of artificial intelligence, the essence of human communication is undergoing a profound transformation. While AI technologies increasingly influence how people connect, interact, and share information, core human skills such as empathy, active listening, and emotional intelligence remain irreplaceable. This paper examines the critical role of human-centric communication in an AI-driven world, arguing that the value of authentic interpersonal connection is not diminished by technology but rather amplified in its presence.
Drawing on recent research in communication studies, cognitive science, and AI ethics, the paper explores the limitations of AI in interpreting emotional nuance, contextual meaning, and nonverbal cues. It highlights the growing gap between machine-enabled interaction and human connection’s deep, affective components. The analysis is supported by insights into the projected expansion of the Emotion AI market and its implications for interpersonal dynamics across educational, professional, and social contexts.
The discussion further investigates how emotional intelligence can counter automation, promoting ethical and adaptive communication practices. It considers the role of generational shifts in communication preferences, the risk of empathy erosion in digital spaces, and strategies for sustaining human connection amid rapid technological change.
Ultimately, this paper advocates for a complementary approach—where human and artificial intelligence coexist—to enrich, rather than replace, meaningful communication. As the boundaries between humans and machines continue to blur, reinforcing the human element becomes desirable and essential to maintaining the integrity and depth of communication in the digital era.
Keywords: Emotional Intelligence, Artificial Intelligence, (AI) Empathy, Human Communication, Digital Era