As artificial intelligence automates analytical and routine tasks, the demand for human skills such as emotional intelligence, cross-communication, and trust-building is rising. A four-day virtual event, the Emotional Skill Gap Summit, aims to help learning and development, HR, and team leaders develop these critical capabilities. Co-hosted by FeelWise, Minds of Light, and Strike Marketing Institute, the summit runs September 29 through October 2, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Central Time each day.
The event is grounded in research showing that employers expect 39% of core skills to evolve by 2030, with leadership and social influence growing in importance by 22 percentage points since 2023, according to the World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs Report 2025. Yet most organizations lack structured ways to develop these skills. The summit pairs research-based frameworks with practical tools attendees can use with their teams.
"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."
More than 25 speakers will present, 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, TEDx speaker, and author; 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. Emotionally Intelligent AI Day, October 2, sponsored by Grand Strategy Consulting, addresses staying emotionally grounded while working alongside AI tools. Speakers that day include Zena Collins, consultant at Grand Strategy Consulting, a MSCEIT 2 emotional intelligence practitioner and author of Stop Wasting Time With AI.
"Neurodivergent people are a growing part of the workforce, and the unwritten emotional rules of most workplaces were not designed for how they communicate," said Alison Jones, founder and executive director of Minds of Light. "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."
Registration is $29, priced so individuals can 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. Registered attendees receive recordings of every session. To register, visit the-emotional-skill-gap-summit.heysummit.com.
The summit's focus on emotional skills comes at a critical time. As AI adoption accelerates, organizations that invest in developing these human-centric abilities may gain a competitive edge in retention, collaboration, and innovation. The event offers a low-cost, accessible way for leaders to begin building these capabilities.
