Navigating the Future: Coaching and Artificial Intelligence

I'm both intrigued and confused about Artificial Intelligence. And, a little bit bored of reading about artificial intelligence, as it seems to be everywhere on the Internet. This is also the case in relation to Coaching. Is this another tool to support a coaching client’s journey of self-actualisation, or is this an existential threat to human coaches??

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One of the confusing areas is what is artificial Intelligence? Is AI simply?more sophisticated?computer algorithms? Or is it like Arnold Schwarzenegger in world of the old movie Terminator in that the machines are taking over from humans? So, let's start off by looking at what artificial intelligence is. Now this is also not clear because there's several ways that experts define artificial intelligence. A?Forbes article of 2019 identified seven categories of artificial intelligence:?

1. Reactive machines – machines with no memory and cannot learn, with limited?reactions based on an input. ?
2. Limited Memory, machines react, and learn from historical information. These machines are ‘trained’ by inputting text or pictures, to enable then to recognise pictures, for example. This is the basis of most of the current AI platforms,?
3. Theory of Mind – this is a conceptual level of AI, where the AI can understand and interpret the thoughts of feelings of humans. So, the AL is doing more than just a process, in addition it understands why the process is needed. ?Experts stae that this level of AI is crucial from huma interaction, and so far, is at a conceptual level. ?
4. Self-aware – this is a hypothetical level of AI, the machine has awareness of self, and can self-explore. The AI machine has its own emotions and thoughts. ?The Forbes article goes on to explain alternative system of classification:?
5. Artificial Narrow Intelligence – existing AI performing specific tasks, so input and output, programmed response. ?
6. Artificial General Intelligence – AI could learn and replicate human activity.?
7. Artificial Superintelligence – exceeding the capabilities of humans in every respect, with a potential existential threat. ??

(Other explanations and definitions of artificial intelligence. Are available, but this is one that seems to describe the levels quite nicely).?

What are the implications for coaching? ?

Coaching has long been anchored in the personal approach, the nuanced conversation, the tailored advice, the human connection. However, the rise of AI has the potential to reshape the coaching landscape. As experienced coaches, we are at a critical juncture where we need to understand the threats and opportunities presented by AI:?

The Threats:?

• Automation of Coaching Processes: AI algorithms can process vast amounts of data to generate insights and action plans, raining concerns about the commoditization of coaching services as with rapidly more Sophisticated AI automates aspects of coaching.?
• Loss of Personal Touch: The coaching profession thrives on the human element—empathy, understanding, and rapport. There is a risk that the prevalence of AI tools might dilute this personal touch, which is integral to effective coaching.?
• Data Privacy and Ethics: As AI systems require data to learn and to operate, there are significant concerns about confidentiality, one of the cornerstones of coaching. ?

The Opportunities:?

• Enhanced Data Insights: AI can process and analyse behavioural data in real-time, providing coaches with deep insights into their clients’ patterns and potential areas for development. For example, AI can analyse language and infer personality traits, thereby supporting the coach's understanding of the client. ?
• AI can reduce bias and the influence of the coach themselves in the coaching process, so there is increased objectivity. A coach interprets what the client says, through their own subjective ‘lens’, and then decides what question to ask, influencing the direction of the conversation. AI could hold numerous alternatives at the same time, overcoming the influence of human bias. ?
• AI to draw on a vast database of theories, models and action plans based on successful case studies, support the client’s achievement of a desired future way of being. ?
• Scaling Coaching: AI can democratize access to coaching. Coaching is often expensive and in organisations reserved for the upper echelons of management. AI-powered platforms could provide coaching tools and services to a broader audience?

Some writers talk about “charting the course forward” but with AI, I don’t think we can do this. We haven’t got a map to help us navigate the future; we don’t even know which direction in which we should travel. So maybe, now, we the most we can be is curious and open to the possibilities of what may be before us. AI may be existential for coaching or may be the dawn of a new exciting leap forward. It is interesting to recall that in 1966 professor Jospeh Weizenbaum, from MIT in the USA, created the first chatbot, Eliza, who acted as a psychotherapist. Clients typed a message, into a mainframe computer, and Eliza would type a response, as if a therapist – was this the first example of AI in therapy/coaching back in 1966???

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AI and Coaching is one of the many topics we discuss at the Warwick University part-time postgraduate level 7 coaching courses. In addition to a Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma, you may want to undertake a dissertation researching AI and coaching, while studying for a full MA in coaching. Our next cohort starts April; 2024, with applications closing at the end on February. To find out more, and the apply, please visit: https://warwick.ac.uk/study/cll/courses/careerstudies/coaching/ or send me an email [email protected] ?

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