The Power of Words spotlights human intelligence at MoMA during UNGA week

The Power of Words® gathered global leaders, tech executives and educators at MoMA in New York during UNGA week for an official Digital@UNGA Affiliate Session on the human side of artificial intelligence. The session argued that emotional regulation, judgment and RED EQ™ are essential to ethical leadership and human flourishing in an automated world.

Why it matters: - The event framed artificial intelligence as a leadership test, not just a technology shift. - The Power of Words® argued that resilience, agency and ethical decision-making depend on human intelligence, not software upgrades. - The session pushed the conversation toward emotional regulation, judgment and relational skills as tools for work, education and governance.

What happened: - The Power of Words® hosted an official Digital@UNGA Affiliate Session at The Museum of Modern Art in New York City during UNGA week. - The session was titled “Human Intelligence in the Age of Artificial Intelligence: The Power of Words® and Relational Emotional Development as a Framework for Human Flourishing.” - Global leaders, policymakers, tech executives and educators took part in panels, presentations and audience discussion. - Deborah Sawaf, Founder and CEO of The Power of Words®, said human intelligence must be treated as an essential framework for human flourishing.

The details: - The morning opened with a panel on work and automation, moderated by Shelley Zalis, with Fernando Garibay and Joelle Jarvis discussing human judgment, creativity and inclusive leadership. - Dr. Justin Thomas presented on global digital wellbeing before a panel with Deborah Sawaf, Dr. Melisa S. Valle and Professor Dr. C. Raj Kumar on education, public institutions and digital wellbeing. - Juliet Scott-Croxford and Andrea Sullivan joined Deborah Sawaf to discuss compassion, healthcare and collective action. - A video presentation by Dr. Syed Muntasir Mamun, titled “The Child Who Must Still Be Able to Speak,” focused on preserving human empathy and voice for future generations. - Ronald C. Gunnell reflected on moving “From Intelligence to Understanding,” followed by an audience dialogue co-moderated by Deborah Sawaf and Shelley Zalis. - The Power of Words® introduced its Relational Emotional Development (RED EQ™) framework as a daily practice for emotional awareness and burnout prevention. - The event also featured the Band Bond Initiative™ and the Two-Hand Principle™, a visible system meant to signal when someone is working toward a goal or needs assistance. - The Power of Words® described its guiding principle as Practice Leads to Prevention®. - The organization said its methodology helps translate emotions and feelings into practices that strengthen empathy, compassion, optimism, resilience, self-awareness, communication and connection. - More information is available on The Power of Words' website.

Between the lines: - The session reflected a broader shift in AI debate from capability to accountability. - The message was that technological progress alone does not solve burnout, loneliness or ethical drift. - The emphasis on RED EQ™ suggests The Power of Words® is positioning emotional development as an operational framework, not just a wellness concept.

What's next: - The Power of Words® said it will expand partnerships across corporate, educational and public sectors. - The organization plans to embed relational emotional development into organizational infrastructure worldwide. - The group is likely to continue using high-profile convenings to push human-centered approaches to AI and leadership.

The bottom line: - The MoMA session cast human intelligence as the missing infrastructure of the AI era.