Is there a place for artificial intelligence (AI) in coaching? Is there a place for coaching in a world increasingly committed to using artificial intelligence to solve all of its problems? These are challenging questions. And just as in any coaching situation, it’s the tough questions that show us the path forward, even if the answers aren’t immediately obvious.
I’ve been part of the coaching world for so long; I remember when it was new enough to need defining or explaining any time it was mentioned. Today, most of us have at least a basic understanding of what coaching is and how it fits in. It has long been a powerful tool for personal and professional development.
AI is now the new kid on the block and has exploded in popularity through chat interfaces that serve as gateways to large language models (LLMs), allowing anyone to enter into conversation with (seemingly) every piece of knowledge in the universe.
The rise of AI introduces new possibilities in the coaching industry, sparking a debate about the role of human coaches versus AI-driven coaching tools. While both have their merits, they serve distinct purposes and offer unique advantages. Whether your goal is to improve onboarding or grow your leadership development programs, let’s explore what makes each approach effective and where they fit into the broader coaching ecosystem.
