As artificial intelligence transforms how we work, one truth is becoming unmistakable: AI can process data. It cannot build trust.

Automation is accelerating productivity, streamlining operations, and reshaping headcount decisions. But while technology enhances efficiency, it cannot replace curiosity, empathy, or the human chemistry that drives collaboration.

The recently released U.S. Chamber of Commerce report, The Six Points of Connection 2026, highlights the growing connection deficit in American workplaces and on Main Streets. Digital convenience has weakened spontaneous interaction–the everyday conversations that build relationships and strengthen teams.

More than ever, organizations need people who understand what it means to truly connect with others and who can serve as peer influencers in restoring the human interactions essential for success.

Regardless of where you appear on the organizational chart, you can take initiative to make connections happen in your workplace. Here are three ways to get started:

Be the first to break the ice.

Break awkward silences at the front-end of meetings as people assemble.Whether in person or remote, those few minutes offer a connection opportunity through an open-ended question. Ask more questions–and make them count. Frame them as prompts that invite thoughtful responses rather than one-word answers. 

Show your face.

Research shows that more than half of employees who work remotely–or who started new jobs from home–have never met their colleagues in person. Don’t choose invisibility. Turning your camera on during virtual meetings does more to build connection than a blank screen ever will.

Look for cues.

Pay attention to the visual cues your colleagues share. The logo on a coffee mug. Titles on a bookshelf in a video backdrop. These signals open the door to small talk that reveals interests beyond job responsibilities–and communicates genuine interest. That’s where alignment strengthens and trust deepens.

In the age of AI, efficiency may be automated–but genuine connection flourishes through human interaction. Employees who enjoy building relationships at work–and are skilled at doing so–will raise their bottom-line value.