The Human Edge: Why Emotional Intelligence Matters More in the Age of AI

[This is a talk in the Gear Up Training Series (GUTS)]

As artificial intelligence transforms the global economy, technical excellence alone no longer guarantees career success or personal fulfillment. This seminar explores why emotional intelligence—how we connect, collaborate, and lead—becomes critical for thriving professionally and personally. Drawing on behavioral economics, neuroscience, and happiness research, we'll examine how our brains operate through the analytical "rider" and emotional "elephant." 

While AI handles cognitive tasks—coding, analysis, and research—it cannot replicate human capabilities: building meaningful relationships, navigating pressures, leading through ambiguity, and making values-based decisions. For students entering competitive markets and building lives worth living, understanding emotional intelligence is foundational to both career impact and lasting happiness. This session provides practical frameworks for developing the self-awareness and interpersonal skills that determine success at work, resilience at home, and fulfillment across a lifetime.

Lecturer in Management, Stanford Graduate School of Business

Dr. Ling Lam is a Lecturer in Management at Stanford Graduate School of Business, where he teaches Interpersonal Dynamics ("Touchy Feely"), the MBA program's most sought-after course on emotional intelligence and leadership. 

Raised in Hong Kong and a graduate of St. Paul's Co-educational College, he earned his degree in Electrical Engineering at Stanford before joining a Silicon Valley tech startup as an early employee, then returned to complete his Ph.D. in Psychology—a journey from building technology to understanding what makes us fundamentally human. At Stanford GSB, he works with MBA students, executives, and entrepreneurs to develop the self-awareness and relational capabilities that research shows predict both career success and life satisfaction. He brings a unique perspective shaped by his Hong Kong roots, technical and startup experience, and deep expertise in human connection, helping students navigate the complexities of building meaningful careers and fulfilling lives across cultures.

Remarks:

1. To avoid interruption and hindering the progress of the session, facilitators may not admit new participants who are late for more than 10 minutes.
2. [HMAW1905] This is a recognized event in the “Self-directed Experience” component of HMAW1905: Behavioral Foundations of University Education: Habits, Mindsets, and Wellness. To receive 1.25 hours, you must attend the event in full and miss no more than 10 minutes.
3. Enquiry: Audrey Ting (saaudreyting@ust.hk)

Sign up here by 30 Mar 2026