As artificial intelligence automates analytical and routine tasks, human skills such as emotional intelligence, cross-communication, and trust-building are becoming critical 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 for learning and development, HR, and team leaders, from September 29 through October 2, 2026. Sessions will run from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Central Time each day.
The urgency is underscored by the World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs Report 2025, which found that employers anticipate 39% of core skills will evolve by 2030. Leadership and social influence are expected to show the greatest increase in importance, rising by 22 percentage points since 2023. Despite this, few companies have a plan for developing the skills AI doesn't replace. "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 will feature 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, 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, will center on neurodivergent perspectives and communication between neurodivergent and neurotypical colleagues.
Emotionally Intelligent AI Day on October 2, sponsored by Grand Strategy Consulting, will address staying emotionally grounded while working alongside AI tools. Speakers that day include Zena Collins, consultant at Grand Strategy Consulting, an 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 for the summit 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 will receive recordings of every session. The event is 100% virtual. Registration is available at the-emotional-skill-gap-summit.heysummit.com.
FeelWise builds visual tools that help people recognize, name, and work with their emotions. Families, educators, and organizations use the system to make emotional awareness a skill that can be practiced. Minds of Light is a nonprofit community founded by and for autistic and neurodivergent individuals, offering mentorship, emotional intelligence education, and community programs. Strike Marketing Institute, founded by Fernando Labastida and based in Austin, Texas, helps bootstrapped B2B founders build visibility and category leadership without paid advertising.
