AI, EQ & Communication News — 2026-10-23 (Fri) Daily News

Overview

Over the past 48 hours, AI moved further into everyday, emotionally framed interactions: Mazda drew coverage for the Vision Cross Compact concept, built around an empathy-oriented AI and carrying expectations for the next-generation Mazda 2 (Yahoo! News; Kuruma no News). Practice and coaching uses advanced, with Suunto's AI-coach watch and an AI interview practice service passing 20,000 cumulative sessions (Impress; kakaku.com; Infoseek), while a survey of 1,333 companies reported that the qualities firms most seek even in the AI era are communication skills and sincerity (DX Magazine). A brain-scan study suggested that first graders do not engage their control networks the way adults do when talking to ChatGPT (PsyPost).

AI that reads emotions

No notable developments. 【AI empathy and emotional intelligence】 Mazda drew attention with the Vision Cross Compact, a concept car that carries expectations for the next-generation Mazda 2 (Yahoo! News). Coverage describes a small 3.8-meter body with a smooth design and an onboard empathy-oriented AI, with the car framed as something that could become like a close friend to the driver (Kuruma no News).

Human EQ and AI-era skills

As AI reshapes work, a new book addresses the human skills that people are told to build but are rarely taught (The National Law Review). 【Changes in conversation and relationships】 Brain scans suggest that first graders, when talking to ChatGPT, do not engage their control networks the way adults do (PsyPost). Separately, Suunto's Race 3S, a GPS sports watch, works with an interactive AI coach (kakaku.com).

AI-written and AI-spoken words

The Chosun Ilbo reported that a ChatGPT letter to a mother from Gangnam evoked both emotion and laughter (The Chosun Ilbo).

Speaking practice and coaching

Mirai Shukatsu, an AI interview practice service offered within OfferBox, has surpassed 20,000 cumulative practice sessions (Infoseek).

Research and surveys

No notable developments. 【Japan's EQ, communication and AI】 Impress reported that the Suunto Race 3S, a GPS watch weighing about 56 grams that supports an interactive AI coach, goes on sale October 29 (Impress). A hiring-awareness survey covering 1,333 companies reported that even in the AI era, the qualities companies most seek are communication skills and sincerity (DX Magazine).

Statements by key figures

No notable developments. 【Integrated analysis: what is happening】 Across these headlines, one structure repeats: AI is entering everyday conversation not primarily as an information tool but as a practice and companionship presence — an in-car AI framed as a close friend (Kuruma no News), a watch that coaches through dialogue (Impress), and a service that rehearses job interviews (Infoseek). At the same time, the human side of communication is being revalued: 1,333 companies most seek communication skills and sincerity even in the AI era (DX Magazine), and a new book addresses human skills that people are told to build but rarely taught (The National Law Review). AI-written text drew emotional reactions, as with the Gangnam ChatGPT letter (The Chosun Ilbo), while early evidence suggests child–adult differences in how brains engage when talking with ChatGPT (PsyPost). The point that may change readers' judgments: AI appears to be absorbing the rehearsal and routine parts of communication, which likely raises rather than lowers the value placed on distinctly human communication skills, while the effects of AI conversation on children remain unsettled.

What to watch

- Whether the empathy-oriented AI in the Vision Cross Compact carries into the next-generation Mazda 2, as coverage anticipates (Yahoo! News; Kuruma no News). - Whether AI practice tools keep expanding — Mirai Shukatsu beyond 20,000 sessions, and AI-coach wearables such as the Race 3S after its October 29 release (Infoseek; Impress). - Whether follow-up research clarifies how conversations with ChatGPT relate to children's control-network engagement, which may shape how families and schools approach AI conversation (PsyPost).