A new study finds that today’s leading AI systems score higher on emotional intelligence (EI) tests than humans. Researchers from the University of Geneva and the University of Bern evaluated six top AI models, including ChatGPT and Gemini, and found AI averaged an EI score of 82% compared with humans at 56%. The results suggest AI can reliably recognize emotions and choose emotionally appropriate actions in simulated scenarios.
For Thai readers, where harmony and subtlety shape daily interactions, the idea of AI supporting education, coaching, and conflict resolution is both promising and challenging. In Thailand, cultural expectations such as kreng jai—prioritizing others’ feelings and avoiding direct confrontation—already influence classroom guidance and workplace discussions. The study, published in Communications Psychology, brings AI into the conversation about how best to nurture emotional skills in a Thai context.
The research team tested several large language models, including ChatGPT-4 and other contemporary variants, with five EI assessments used worldwide for research and human resources. These tests measure not just emotional understanding but real-world decision-making in complex situations. In a representative scenario, an employee faced with a stolen idea was advised to discuss the matter with a supervisor; AI and humans alike tended toward this more emotionally intelligent option, but AI did so with greater consistency.
Overall, AI achieved an 82% accuracy rate on the EI tasks, while human participants averaged 56%. A senior scientist from the Swiss Center for Affective Sciences at the University of Geneva commented that these findings show AI can reason about emotions and act with emotional intelligence. The researchers also created new EI tests with ChatGPT-4 and administered them to more than 400 participants, reinforcing the robustness of AI-driven assessments.
For Thailand, AI as an “EI coach” could support guidance counselors, HR departments, and even meditation instructors by generating realistic, balanced scenarios for practice. This capability aligns with Thai values of empathy, respect, and social harmony, and could help scale emotional learning in schools and organizations, especially where access to trained counselors is limited.
Experts caution that emotional intelligence remains deeply cultural. What counts as a wise or respectful choice in Western contexts may differ from Thai expectations around face-saving and community harmony. Researchers emphasize that AI should be supervised by professionals to interpret results and ensure culturally appropriate guidance. AI can augment human expertise, but not replace it.
The study dovetails with Thailand’s ongoing push to blend technology with education. The Ministry of Education has encouraged schools to explore digital tools to boost student engagement and motivation, a shift accelerated by the disruptions of the COVID-19 era. If Thai educators collaborate with psychology specialists to adapt AI-based EI testing and training to local needs, a new wave of social-emotional learning could emerge.
Buddhist concepts such as metta (loving-kindness) and mindful reflection echo the goal of emotionally intelligent interaction. AI’s ability to model and propose appropriate responses can complement traditional wisdom, offering practical support for a generation growing up in a digital world, while still honoring Thai spiritual and cultural practices.
Looking ahead, excitement is balanced by vigilance. International validation continues, and cross-cultural testing will be essential to ensure AI EI is useful in diverse Thai settings—urban schools and rural communities alike. There is also a concern that over-reliance on machines could dampen the uniquely Thai forms of empathy cultivated through human relationships.
For educators, HR professionals, and parents in Thailand, the takeaway is clear: AI can support, and even generate, aspects of emotional intelligence, but human judgment, cultural nuance, and expert oversight remain critical. When deploying AI tools in classrooms, counseling offices, or corporate training, it is important to pair technology with culturally competent professionals and ongoing public dialogue about ethics and social impact.
To stay informed, Thai audiences can follow developments in AI and emotional intelligence through reputable international research and engage with local psychology experts to assess how AI tools might responsibly support social-emotional learning and counseling initiatives.
Sources integrated within the article:
- Research collaborations from the University of Geneva and the University of Bern on AI and emotional intelligence
- Observations in global EI assessments used in education and human resources
- Thailand’s ongoing emphasis on digital tools in education and social-emotional learning initiatives