AI, EQ & Communication News — 2026-10-13 (Tue) Evening News

Overview

Mazda's empathetic AI drew coverage ahead of JMS2026 and Mobility Show 2026 (Car Watch, LIGARE). A Fudan University-linked startup focused on emotion- and context-aware AI secured a pre-A round of over ¥1 billion (36 Kr). Coverage of human skills, AI-based sales conversation training and AI interviews also appeared (Forbes Japan, Nikkei, Oricon News).

Emotion-reading AI

- An AI startup led by Fudan University teachers and students, focused on emotion- and context-aware human understanding AI, secured a pre-A round of over ¥1 billion (36 Kr). 【AI empathy and emotional intelligence】 - Kenta Okada of Mazda's next-generation human-centered systems research division explained the progress of Mazda's empathetic AI technology at JMS2026 (Car Watch, via Yahoo! News). - Mazda will present empathetic AI and rotary technology at Mobility Show 2026 (LIGARE). 【Human EQ and skills in the AI era】 - Ravi Hutheesing urged Arkansas community colleges to focus on human skills as AI transforms the workforce (Hot Springs Sentinel Record). - Forbes Japan published a piece arguing that humanity is the key to surviving the AI era and that soft skills are the strongest weapon (Forbes Japan). 【Changes in conversation and relationships】 - ABC News (Australia) published a piece asking whether AI can help cultivate a civilization of love (ABC News).

Words AI writes and speaks

- Kakao released Kanana, an AI that interprets as it listens, with response speed improved fourfold (BigGo Finance).

Speaking practice and coaching

- Astellas Pharma's drug sales training uses an AI doctor as the instructor to build conversation skills (Nikkei).

Research and surveys

No notable developments. 【EQ, communication and AI in Japan】 - A survey found that 52% of job seekers consider AI interviews fair, versus 85% for in-person interviews. The report says the key to closing the gap is the quality of dialogue, and that examinees' biggest complaint is no response and being unable to tell when to end their answer (Oricon News). - The AI Co-write Crew channel posted a short AI-music lyric video titled Emotion Algorithm (YouTube).

Statements by key figures

No notable developments. 【Integrated analysis: what is happening】 - Emotion and empathy are being built into products and training across several sectors. Mazda is developing empathetic AI for vehicles (Car Watch, LIGARE), a startup is raising funds for emotion- and context-aware AI (36 Kr), and Astellas uses an AI doctor for sales conversation practice (Nikkei). This suggests emotion-related capability is becoming a product feature rather than a standalone research theme. - Alongside this, Forbes Japan and the Arkansas coverage emphasize human skills, which indicates that the value of human communication is being restated as AI use spreads (Forbes Japan, Hot Springs Sentinel Record). - The Oricon survey shows a measurable gap in perceived fairness between AI and in-person interviews, with the lack of response from the AI side cited as the main complaint (Oricon News). This may mean that how responsive and conversational the AI appears, not only what it can do, affects acceptance. The headlines do not provide evidence on how effective the empathetic AI systems are.

What to watch

- Whether details of Mazda's empathetic AI are shown at Mobility Show 2026 and what the system is described as doing. - Whether the fundraising by the emotion- and context-aware AI startup is followed by product or customer announcements. - Whether other surveys on AI interviews and AI-based conversation training report similar perception gaps.