Relational Intelligence: The Human Edge in the Age of AI

Ever feel like AI’s moving a bit too fast? One minute it’s helping you draft emails and handle customer queries, the next it’s predicting your next purchase, and yes, even suggesting blog titles (guilty). It’s impressive... but also a little unnerving. Sometimes, it feels like we’re one update away from being replaced.

That’s why Sarah McDevitt’s talk at Growth Summit 25 was such a breath of fresh air. She reminded me, and everyone in the room, that no matter how advanced AI gets, it’ll never be able to be human. And that’s our edge. Relational intelligence is what sets us apart, and it’s not going anywhere.

What even is relational intelligence?

Put simply, relational intelligence is your ability to build, maintain and scale trusted human relationships, the stuff AI still can’t replicate.

We mean genuine, trust-fuelled, emotionally intelligent connection. The kind that drives loyalty, builds culture, and makes people want to work with you, not just for you.

So while AI is busy automating workflows and summarising meetings, your relational intelligence becomes your superpower. Because trust, is still a very human currency.

The state of AI: fast, scalable… and a bit chaotic

AI is booming. 78% of companies are already using it in at least one part of their business. And the market’s expected to hit £15.7 trillion by 2030.
But here's the thing. Tech this powerful also comes with baggage.

And let’s not gloss over it:

• Amazon’s AI hiring tool, axed because it taught itself to discriminate against women

• McDonald's AI drive-thrus, a PR disaster full of accidental McChaos

• NYC’s chatbot, accidentally advising users how to break labour laws
  
  

So yes, AI can be impressive. But without the right human oversight, it can just as easily go off the rails. That’s where relational intelligence picks up the slack.

The key is to join the two: AI + RI

If AI brings the brains, relational intelligence brings the heart.

Sarah McDevitt put it perfectly: “AI gives you intelligence, but RI gives you influence.” It’s this combo, smart systems and trusted relationships, that gives you a real competitive edge.

When you pair the predictive powers of AI with someone who knows how to read a room, the result isn’t just productivity. It’s leadership. Culture. Loyalty. And a customer experience people actually want to repeat.

Five signals of relational intelligence (and how to flex them)

Relational intelligence isn’t just vibes and intuition. There’s a science to it. McDevitt outlined five key signals. Here’s your cheat sheet:

The best bit? These are skills you already have. You just need to start treating them like the assets they are.

Let’s talk about the AI/RI sweet spot

According to McDevitt’s AI/RI matrix, most companies fall into one of four categories:

• Machine Trap (High AI, Low RI): Fast, but soulless. Think of chatbots that frustrate more than they help.

• Relationship Strongholds (Low AI, High RI): Trusted, but can’t scale. Great loyalty, weak delivery.

• Irrelevant (Low AI, Low RI): The danger zone. No tech, no trust.

• Human First with AI Acceleration (High AI, High RI): The golden zone. Tech-powered and people-first.

Guess where you want to be?

So… how do you start building relational intelligence

No lie in saying that “get better at human connection” is vague. So here’s a more practical take:

• Audit your trust leaks: Where’s your credibility slipping? Is it tone-deaf messaging? Robotic service? Fix it

• Redefine strength: Value deep relationships as much as you value efficiency

• Hire for RI: Skills like empathy, adaptability and listening should be non-negotiable

• Be intentional: Don’t leave culture to chance. Design it

• Train and retrain: Your teams need to know the five signals, not just your leadership team

• Don’t get distracted by the tech hype: Nobody is really buying AI. They’re buying solutions, and people who get them

It’s about baking relational intelligence into your business DNA so that trust and connection aren’t just buzzwords but They’re the way you win.

TL;DR - AI is cool, but humans still win hearts

In today's day and age, being more human is your most strategic move. Because AI will give you intelligence, but relational intelligence is what gives you influence.

So while others are trying to out-automate the competition, maybe it’s time you out-connected them.

You could have the most sophisticated systems in the world, but if your team can’t build trust, communicate clearly, or create connection, the tech’s just a tool gathering dust.

That’s exactly what we cover in our AI Maturity Assessment, because it’s not just about adoption, it’s about integration. High-performing organisations don’t just throw AI at problems. They build cultures that amplify AI with human strengths like empathy, adaptability and trust.