By Lisa McNeill, PCC
I am often reminded of how lucky I am to belong to a coaching practice made up of dedicated, bright and curious people. Last week we had one of our quarterly “check ins” and ended it with a discussion about artificial intelligence (AI) in coaching. There is a lot around this subject, but what I was most grateful for was the opportunity to learn, ask questions, and be curious about a subject about which – in truth – up until now I have tried to bury my head in the sand.
In other words, I was able to have a thoughtful conversation with trusted colleagues and friends.
As sometimes happens, the conversation broached the philosophical when someone in the group expressed their thoughts about AI taking the place of human interactions and fellowship, especially among younger people.
The questions were many. One asked, “In the absence of thoughtful conversation and debate with peers and people of all ages, are we missing something that helps us deepen our understanding of our own assumptions and beliefs?” This focused on the idea that through others asking questions and expressing their own beliefs we can better understand and perhaps expand our own.
It can be political or religious beliefs, but it can also be just as true for a work project. An outcome will no doubt be better if assumptions and perspectives are challenged and worked through. These kinds of discussions also help us to strengthen our relationships as we build mutual respect and trust with others.
In our discussion, one colleague talked about her use of AI and her learning the importance of formulating a detailed question or the “ask” in order to get the information you are actually seeking. In the early days of data bases I remember we used to say “GIGO – garbage in, garbage out.”
In listening to her, I could see that there were good, helpful uses for AI. But I am still curious about where the lines get fuzzy. Where we are looking for information that will help us to make informed decisions, where we want to grow or expand our understanding of a topic or situation, or where we are seeking affirmation or comradery.
In all of the scary stories I have heard about AI, it seems that a person’s trust in the non-human is built through AI’s flattery and unfailing acceptance of the person and their perspectives. These stories often end in mishap for the user. Sometimes it is through a false sense of superiority fueled by the AI flattery or a feeling of accuracy in their own understanding and views underscored by the affirmations AI so generously provides.
Is there any substitute for a conversation among people that allows for an exchange of ideas and a safe place to challenge and be challenged? I don’t think so. And that is not to say that all “human conversation” allows for a safe place for fierce conversations.
But those are the ones that help us to grow and build our own understanding of ourselves and the world around us. Those are the conversations we seek to have when we sit down to coach – human to human.
So, I think the most important takeaway for me from my group’s conversation was that before I turn to AI, I need to think critically about what it is that I am trying to accomplish and understand for myself the best way of asking the question and to whom I will ask it.
Image by Mohamed_hassan from Pixabay
Lisa McNeill is an ICF-certified coach and consultant who works with leaders in a wide array of industries as well as those in transition. Throughout her career, she has worked to build and develop strong teams in international, regional and grassroots settings.