Language is the fabric of human connection. It allows us to convey ideas, share experiences, and bond with one another. Yet, when it comes to expressing our emotions, words often fail us. How many times have you answered “How are you?” with a vague, oversimplified, or even inaccurate response like “fine,” “good,” or “busy”? These adjectives have become placeholders – familiar yet hollow – leaving the true depths of our emotions unexplored and unarticulated.
Our vocabulary for feelings, while vast in theory, often proves insufficient in practice. Describing emotions is tricky because they are complex, nuanced, and deeply personal. The spectrum of human emotion cannot be neatly packaged into words like “happy” or “sad,” leaving many of us unable to pinpoint and communicate how we truly feel. For individuals with autism or other communication challenges, this struggle can be even more pronounced, as they may lack the tools or vocabulary to articulate their emotions altogether. The result? Frustration, isolation, and a growing sense of disconnect from the people and the world around us.
In our digital age, where emojis and gifs have become ubiquitous stand-ins for emotional expression, the problem persists. While a smiling face or a teardrop emoji might capture the essence of a feeling, these symbols are inherently limited, often open to interpretation, and woefully inadequate for the intricate tapestry of human emotions. What one person sees as playful might be perceived by another as sarcastic or dismissive. As convenient as they are, emojis – like language – fall short of providing the emotional clarity and depth we so often need. This is where technology – and particularly artificial intelligence – comes into play. Technology, with its infinite potential and boundless adaptability, is uniquely positioned to help us bridge this gap, offering solutions that go far beyond the superficiality of our current emotional language. Imagine a tool that doesn’t just ask, “How are you?” but helps you dig deep, guiding you to uncover the true essence of your emotions and offering you the words you might otherwise struggle to find.
THE CASE FOR EMOTIONAL AI
Emotional artificial intelligence is the next frontier in how humans interact with technology and, by extension, themselves. At its core, emotional AI aims to help individuals recognise, articulate, and understand their emotions through thoughtful and targeted interactions. Rather than relying on abstract cues or generalised interpretations, this technology focuses on the power of words.
Imagine waking up in the morning and engaging with an AI tool designed to ask insightful, tailored questions about your emotional state. It might start with simple prompts such as, “What’s on your mind today?” or “Describe how you’re feeling in one word.” From there, it could delve deeper, asking follow-up questions to refine and clarify your emotions: “Are you feeling anxious because of an upcoming event, or is it something unresolved from yesterday?” or “Does your happiness stem from a recent achievement, or are you simply feeling content in the moment?”.
By engaging in this kind of dialogue, the AI helps users explore and articulate their feelings with greater precision. It’s no longer about generic labels like “happy” or “sad” but about uncovering subtleties such as “amused,” “grateful,” “frustrated,” or “vulnerable.” In doing so, it provides a personalised emotional profile for the day, empowering users to put words to emotions they might have otherwise struggled to define.
Once this emotional profile is created, the AI can guide users toward content that resonates with and supports their emotional state. For example:
- Music: based on your profile, the AI could suggest a playlist to complement or elevate your mood, from calming instrumentals to energising anthems.
- Affirmations: if you’re feeling uncertain or discouraged, the tool could provide affirmations designed to boost confidence and focus.
- Motivational Content: for moments of self-doubt or indecision, the AI might recommend articles, podcasts, or videos that inspire resilience and clarity.
- Reflective Journaling Prompts: to help process complex emotions, the tool could offer writing prompts encouraging introspection and personal growth.
By aligning emotion with action, this AI-driven approach has the potential to not only enhance self-awareness but also empower individuals to take meaningful steps toward emotional well-being.
WHY WORDS MATTER
One of the most transformative aspects of this technology is its ability to expand our emotional vocabulary. Research shows that having the right words to describe our feelings can significantly impact how we process and cope with them. This concept, known as emotional granularity, refers to the ability to differentiate between similar emotions and label them precisely. For example, instead of saying, “I feel bad,” someone with high emotional granularity might say, “I feel frustrated because I’m not meeting my own expectations,” or “I feel disappointed because my plans fell through.” These distinctions matter because they allow us to address the root causes of our emotions more effectively.
Currently, many of us operate with a limited palette of emotional adjectives. Words like “awesome” or “terrible” are so overused that they’ve lost much of their meaning, while terms like “jubilant,” “serene,” or “vulnerable” often feel out of reach. Emotional AI could change that by introducing us to new ways of understanding and describing our feelings. Over time, this technology could even help normalise the use of more nuanced emotional language, creating a cultural shift in how we communicate.
THE AUTISM CONNECTION
For individuals with autism, who may struggle with both identifying and articulating emotions, this technology could be particularly revolutionary. Many people on the autism spectrum experience something called alexithymia, which is the inability to recognise or describe their own emotions. Traditional approaches, such as therapy or social skills training, can be helpful but are often limited by the very constraints of language we’ve discussed. Emotional AI could provide an alternative pathway. By interpreting nonverbal cues or analysing patterns in behaviour, the technology could offer individuals with autism a clearer understanding of their emotional state and even suggest words or phrases to communicate how they’re feeling. This could lead to greater self-awareness, improved relationships, and a stronger sense of connection with the world around them.
BEYOND THE INDIVIDUAL
While the personal benefits of emotional AI are immense, the ripple effects could be even more profound. On a societal level, this technology has the potential to foster greater empathy, understanding, and connection. Imagine a world where we’re not just guessing at how our loved ones feel but are equipped with tools to truly understand and support them. Or consider the workplace, where emotional AI could help managers recognise when their team members are overwhelmed, disengaged, or in need of encouragement.
Of course, there are ethical considerations to address. Privacy, consent, and the potential for misuse are all valid concerns that must be carefully navigated as this technology evolves. However, with thoughtful design and transparent guidelines, emotional AI has the power to transform not only how we understand ourselves but also how we interact with others.
A NEW ERA OF EMOTIONAL EXPRESSION
Expressing emotion is one of the most difficult yet essential aspects of being human. For too long, we’ve relied on an inadequate vocabulary and superficial tools that leave us feeling misunderstood and alone. But technology offers hope. By harnessing the power of artificial intelligence, we can create a bridge between emotion and expression, providing individuals with the words, tools, and content they need to navigate their emotional landscapes.
This is not just a technological advancement – it’s a cultural shift. As we move toward a future where emotions are quantified, verbalised, and understood in unprecedented ways, we stand on the brink of a new era – one where creativity, connection, and humanity itself are redefined. No matter where you are in the world – whether in Switzerland, the USA, or beyond – emotions are our common denominator, something we all share as a universal thread of humanity. In this era of digitalisation, the game is about to change, and with it, the way we express, experience, and understand what it means to feel. AI allows us to change the game – not as something to fear, but as a tool to enhance our lives and deepen our ability to communicate.
Larisa B. Miller
Larisa B. Miller is well known to our community – since her epic keynote at the last Female Innovation Forum in Dielsdorf last year. Larisa Miller is a trailblazing entrepreneur and strategic visionary known for her ability to disrupt traditional business models and prepare organisations for long-term resilience and success. As the Founder & CEO of Phoenix Global, Larisa leads a globally connected team, working across the USA, UAE, and globally, to transform both public and private sector entities.
With a keen focus on driving measurable progress, Larisa works with both public and private sector clients to set strategic benchmarks that ensure growth and stability over the next 20 years. While she is an active investor, Larisa’s investment philosophy goes beyond capital. She seeks out opportunities that align with her vision of transformation and impact, supporting startups that are poised to disrupt industries and drive positive, sustainable change.
Larisa was recently named “10 most influential business leaders of 2021” by Exelon Magazine and “Top Woman in Business” by Powerhouse Global Magazine in 2022.
