Competition intensifies among Asian businesses as they strive to strengthen their social connections in the advancing digital age marked by artificial intelligence.
In the heart of Cebu, the 21st Asian Carriers Conference (ACC 2025) echoed with the words of Simone Heng, a human connection specialist, who emphasized the importance of social health in the modern business landscape.
Heng, who has advised tech giants like Google, Meta, and Salesforce, highlighted the need for companies to cultivate a sense of belonging in order to thrive. She warned of a widening 'empathy gap' in societies relying heavily on AI and asynchronous communication, and emphasized that commonalities connect us, and human connections are one's legacy.
Society is currently experiencing a loneliness epidemic, and technology, while connecting people faster and wider, cannot substitute for the intimacy of genuine human relationships. This is a sentiment shared by telecom executives and workplace experts, who have voiced concerns about the erosion of human connection due to AI and digital tools.
The pandemic is believed to have taken away three years of critical social development, and younger employees who entered the workforce during or after Covid-19 often lack confidence in face-to-face interactions, conflict resolution, and rapport building.
To counter this, employers are encouraged to step in and help in rebuilding the 'social muscles' lost during the pandemic and accelerated by digital tools. Companies are implementing mentoring schemes, soft-skills training, and role-playing workshops to retrain workers in human connection basics.
Small talk is important as it leads to deeper trust and collaboration. Weak communication skills in businesses can slow decisions, strain client relationships, and raise turnover. However, specific Asian companies implementing comprehensive programs to revive 'fundamental human cohesion skills' are not explicitly documented. Mentoring initiatives for integration and professional development, such as those by Academics at Risk e.V. in Germany supporting Asian scholars, highlight the relevance of mentoring networks in this context.
Firms that invest in connection training report stronger productivity, resilience, and customer trust. A 'digital detox economy' has emerged, with retreats and corporate off-sites marketed as tools to counter burnout and rebuild cohesion. Technology may make businesses more efficient, but it cannot replace the empathy and presence of human connection.
In conclusion, Heng's message at the ACC 2025 serves as a call to action for companies to prioritize human connections in their operations. As we navigate the digital age, the need for empathy, trust, and genuine human interactions remains as crucial as ever.
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