In The Era of AI – Why Promoting Empathy is vital for the future

9 August 2025

At the heart of ACTAsia’s work is our vision ‘to create a more compassionate world for animals, people and the environment’ but unlike other charities ACTAsia’s goals are more holistic and solutions are not necessarily immediate. However, this doesn’t make the goals any less important. In a fast-changing world marked by economic competition, technological advances, social transformation and emerging AI power, the values of compassion and empathy are more essential than ever. As a result, I am often asked by the media to explain why the values of compassion and empathy are vital in bringing about social change.

The World Economic Forum recognises empathy as a most in-demand skill

Despite being a deeply human trait, empathy has long been undervalued in professional environments—especially under performance pressure. The World Economic Forum’s “Future of Jobs Report 2025” ranks empathy among the most in-demand skills by 2030, alongside AI and data analytics. The WEF calls for individuals, educators and organisations to proactively cultivate this skill. WEF also pointed out that workers must balance hard and soft skills in order to thrive in today’s work environment.

Why empathy is needed in today’s world and particularly in Asia

Asia is home to over half the world’s population and with a huge variety of cultures, histories and traditions, the need to foster human-centric values is both urgent and deeply meaningful. Many Asian countries have undergone rapid economic development over the past few decades. While this progress has lifted millions out of poverty and created global hubs of innovation, it has also introduced new social stresses: widening income inequality, urban isolation, left-behind children, high-pressure education systems and rising mental health issues.

I strongly believe that empathy and compassion can serve as crucial counterweights to these trends. Encouraging people to see each other not just as competitors or economic units, but as human beings with shared emotions and struggles, can create more sustainable and emotionally intelligent societies.

How empathy can help us to address the global challenges we are facing

When I established the empathy and compassion modules in ACTAsia’s Caring for Life education for children programme, it was because I saw how many social problems—violence, animal abuse, environmental exploitation—stem from a lack of empathy. If people can’t see through the lens of others—humans, animals or nature—they can’t recognise problems, let alone solve them effectively.

Globally, more and more members of Generation Z are facing serious wellbeing and mental health challenges. In addition, many educators and teachers today feel increasingly disrespected. This is why we must take empathy, compassion and emotional intelligence seriously. ACTAsia has been advocating for this for over a decade, and today it aligns closely with the World Economic Forum’s recognition of empathy as a critical soft skill and essential human competency. 

These issues further affirm the value and foresight of ACTAsia’s Caring for Life Education Programme for Children, which nurtures future generations with empathy, emotional intelligence and a deep compassion for life – giving them a powerful form of competitiveness in the world ahead.

The importance of empathy in the workplace

Recently, I was honoured to speak at three events concerning the importance of empathy in the workplace – in Shanghai, Chengdu and Kunshan City – to business professionals, companies and their staff. As part of my speeches, I touched upon the fact that empathy has become a top priority on agendas in global corporate board meetings. Major corporate CEOs like Satya Nadella from Microsoft, and Reid Hoffman, the co-founder of LinkedIn, both champion empathy in the workplace.  Indeed, Nadella states that empathy is not only a key leadership quality but is regarded as fundamental to corporate innovation and collaboration. He also stated that: “Empathy makes you a better innovator!”

I explained to the audience that these corporate leaders emphasise the importance of ‘empathy’ in the workplace and the positive outcomes that can result. This includes highly motivated staff, increased effectiveness and mission driven teams within management.

This is why teaching empathy, compassion and emotional intelligence, through ACTAsia’s CFL programme from a young age is so vital. Learning through the school curriculum, family life and public role models can help develop future leaders who are not only intelligent but also deeply humane, laying a foundation for the business in future.

The power of empathy to strengthen social cohesion in diverse communities

Asia is incredibly diverse—not just across nations, but within them. Countries like India, China, Indonesia, and Malaysia are home to multiple ethnicities, languages and religions. In such pluralistic societies, compassion and empathy help bridge cultural divides and promote mutual respect. Without these values, diversity can become a fault line rather than a strength. Empathy allows individuals to understand experiences outside their own, reducing prejudice, xenophobia and communal tensions.

Promoting compassion and empathy is not a ‘soft’ or idealistic endeavour. It is a powerful strategy for building more inclusive, resilient and humane societies. In the context of Asia’s complex challenges and enormous potential, these values are not just desirable—they are essential.

As educators, parents, leaders, and individuals, we each have a role to play in nurturing a culture where people feel seen, heard and cared for. And in doing so, we help shape an Asia that not only leads the world in progress—but also in humanity.

If you have been inspired by ACTAsia’s work and want to learn more about the benefits of promoting empathy then please do get in touch. Equally please consider donating to ACTAsia to help further our global reach. 

Your contribution directly fuels our efforts, ensuring that the message of sustainable living reaches even further. Every donation counts, no matter the size. Help us further our cause and ensure a kinder future for animals, people and the environment.