Can a ChatGPT Coach uphold the ethical guidelines for coaches?

Part 4 of 5 inquiries on using Generative AI in Coaching for International Coaching Week

The International Coaching Federation has clear ethical guidelines for coaches.? Can ChatGPT uphold those guidelines?? A few considerations:

? Confidentiality.? The first ethical standard is the Responsibility to Clients. Coaches need to “explain and ensure that, prior to or at the initial meeting, [the] coaching Client(s) and Sponsor(s) understand the nature and potential value of coaching, the nature and limits of confidentiality, financial arrangements, and any other terms of the coaching agreement.”? >> Can ChatGPT keep your data and inquiries confidential?? What happens to your data?? Does it become more input into its generative learning model?

? Conflicts of interest. ?Another responsibility of coaches when working as an internal coach is to “manage conflicts of interest or potential conflicts of interest with [their] coaching Client(s) and Sponsor(s) through coaching agreement(s) and ongoing dialogue.”? Cogitocorp.com provides real-time coaching by combining emotion and conversation AI and “gives supervisors visibility into live conversations from their teams working from anywhere, and continuously monitors customer and employee experiences.”? >> Is a coach acting in the interest of the client or the client’s supervisor?? Should a coach be tasked with monitoring the client 24x7?

? Responsibility to Practice and Performance. ICF ethical standards states that coaches should recognize “personal limitations or circumstances that may impair, conflict with or interfere with [their] coaching performance or [their] professional coaching relationships. [They] will reach out for support to determine the action to be taken and, if necessary, promptly seek relevant professional guidance. This may include suspending or terminating [their] coaching relationship(s)”? ChatGPT and other Generative AI responses usually contain caveats to its limitations.? However, they are still prone to hallucinations.” >> ChatGPT and other Generative AI responses usually contain caveats to its limitations.? However, they are still prone to hallucinations. How much do you trust ChatGPT’s responses?

? Responsibility to Professionalism.? Coaches are held to a “responsibility for being aware of and setting clear, appropriate and culturally sensitive boundaries that govern interactions, physical or otherwise.” ? >> What are ChatGPT’s unconscious biases?? Who has access and who is providing the inputs?

? Responsibility to Society. ?Coaches “recognize and honor the contributions and intellectual property of others, only claiming ownership of [their] own material. [They] understand that a breach of this standard may subject [them] to legal remedy by a third party.”? >> Does ChatGPT give attribution to the sources of its responses?

Lastly, as an ICF accredited coach, I am held accountable to my actions.? I took a pledge to be “aware of my and my clients’ impact on society. I adhere to the philosophy of ‘doing good’ versus ‘avoiding bad.’”? Can ChatGPT say the same?

International Coaching Week is May 8-14 as designated by the International Coaching Federation and launched in 1999.? This year’s theme, “Explore Your Potential,” honors the coaching process and is a reminder that we all have the power to maximize our personal and professional lives.