As artificial intelligence automates analytical and routine tasks, human skills such as emotional intelligence, cross-communication, and trust-building are becoming essential for team success. Yet most organizations lack a structured approach to developing these capabilities. To address 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 in importance by 22 percentage points since 2023. Despite this, few companies have a plan to cultivate these skills. "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 more than 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. 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, deliberately 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. For more information and to register, visit the-emotional-skill-gap-summit.heysummit.com.
The summit's emphasis on emotional skills comes at a critical time. As AI continues to transform job roles, the ability to connect, empathize, and lead will differentiate successful teams. By providing accessible, research-based training, the Emotional Skill Gap Summit aims to help organizations build the human capabilities that technology cannot replicate. This initiative not only addresses a pressing skills gap but also champions inclusivity by integrating neurodivergent perspectives, ensuring that the future of work is emotionally intelligent for all.
