Protocol Expert Warns Overreliance on AI Threatens Critical Workplace Social Skills

Pamela Eyring, president of the Protocol School of Washington, warns that increasing reliance on artificial intelligence can erode the communication and relationship‑building skills essential for securing clients and completing deals.

As AI becomes deeply integrated into workplaces, companies risk overlooking a critical differentiator for top performers: the ability to communicate, listen attentively, respectfully disagree, and cultivate genuine relationships with colleagues and clients.

Speaking to Fox Business, Eyring said employers now need workers who can harness AI tools efficiently while preserving their interpersonal capabilities.

She emphasizes the need to develop what she terms “power skills” – foundational abilities that are vital for success in today’s business environment.

“These are essential skills that we need as human beings in business,” she said.

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Eyring cautions that as AI becomes more embedded in the workplace, employees should guard against letting the technology replace vital communication and relationship‑building skills. (Napong Rattanaraktiya/Getty Images / Getty Images)

With a proliferation of AI platforms, Eyring notes that the convenience of chatbots can tempt workers to choose them over human interaction.

Users may enjoy instant gratification, rapid responses, and less pushback from bots than from colleagues, but Eyring warns that this convenience can carry a personal price.

“It doesn’t challenge us; it’s so pleasant and so efficient. ‘Oh, that’s a great idea, Pamela, let’s do it.’ But sometimes our ideas aren’t good. That’s why I fear we’ll lose our people skills and, more importantly, our relationships,” she added.

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Eyring told FOX Business that workers must preserve strong interpersonal skills as AI becomes increasingly prevalent in the workplace. (FOX Business)

Even when employees are proficient with AI and other emerging technologies, such expertise alone does not equip them to present ideas, read a room, negotiate, or build client relationships.

“They want you to be smart with AI, but they also want you to be able to close a billion, a multi‑billion dollar deal,” Eyring said.

She added that technical knowledge alone may be insufficient when employees must advise clients, nurture relationships, and convey the experience they have accumulated throughout their careers.

She also mentioned that she and her clients have encountered job applicants who apparently relied too heavily on AI when preparing their application materials.

“We laugh and tell stories about how, you know, the AI created a great resume, and it has still brackets, you know, ‘fill in the blank here,’” Eyring said.

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Eyring warned that overreliance on AI could erode employees’ ability to communicate, listen, disagree, and build relationships with colleagues. (Drazen Zigic/Getty Images)

She argued that the fallout from excessive AI use extends beyond awkward job applications; businesses could suffer financially if automation replaces essential human interaction.

Overreliance on AI can also cost companies customers and revenue.

She was blunt when asked whether companies risk paying a financial price by automating aggressively while neglecting human skills: “Yes, it’s dangerous.”

“They can’t go full steam ahead and not take into consideration the people,” she said. “If it is not balanced, they are going to lose clients and that’s where you lose money.”

Customers may become frustrated when they cannot reach a person or when the employee they eventually reach fails to understand their situation, Eyring observed.

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Eyring noted that some job applicants have apparently relied so heavily on AI‑generated résumés that placeholder instructions were left in their application materials. (Jakkapant Turasen / Getty Images)

“They want real people,” she said.

“When you’re developing that AI strategy, you’ve got to look at where do we need to keep the people for that connection and continue to build our reputation and our brand,” she continued.

She noted that workplace culture had already become more casual before the pandemic and that remote work further reduced informal “water‑cooler conversations,” limiting opportunities for idea testing and informal coaching.

Many supervisors also lost chances to work side‑by‑side with employees and provide informal mentorship, she added.

She argued that AI has since introduced another challenge.

“I’m not sure where we’re at, but it’s not pretty,” she said.

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Eyring observed that remote work reduced informal workplace interactions and mentoring opportunities, and the rapid expansion of AI later introduced an additional challenge. (Daniel Acker/Bloomberg via Getty Images / Getty Images)

She pointed out that younger workers are sometimes criticized for lacking social skills, yet they often have had fewer opportunities than older generations to observe workplace behavior and receive informal coaching.

Many are eager to learn, she said, citing her experience teaching professional skills to students preparing to enter the workforce.

She also emphasized that employers bear responsibility, arguing that companies should clearly teach workplace expectations and professional norms during onboarding rather than assuming younger employees already know them.

Ultimately, she said businesses do not have to choose between embracing AI and maintaining the human relationships that help build trust with employees and customers.

“Don’t let artificial intelligence replace our social intelligence,” she said. “The best investment is in your people.”

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