The role of emotional intelligence in building trust within human– AI collaboration for strategic decision- making

This chapter investigates emotional intelligence (EQ) as the main system which enables human- AI teamwork for strategic decision- making through cognitive and affective trust development. The chapter uses EQ models from Mayer and Salovey and Goleman to connect transparency and explainability and human- likeness factors, which help leaders convert AI results into decisions that are both ethical and emotionally understandable. The systematic literature review based on PRISMA examines research from 2015 to 2025 to reveal essential findings and knowledge deficiencies regarding EQ and trust and AI systems. Research shows that users accept AI systems better when they demonstrate EQ abilities, which also reduces technostress and enables proper trust management in AI- supported environments. The research findings lead to the development of a conceptual framework which enables human- centred AI support for ethical strategic decision- making through trust- based systems.