Lately, AI has been buzzing in my mind – and I’m sure, in yours too! As someone steering the ship in business, I can’t help but ponder how AI is reshaping our world. So, I’ve been diving deep into both the amazing opportunities and the potential pitfalls it presents.
One of the things that keeps me up at night is the risk of AI perpetuating discrimination and stereotypes. It’s a big deal to us at Peeplcoach; we’re all about creating a better, more inclusive world. It’s something we actively work against every single day.
To put it plainly (and with a nod to my friend, ChatGPT): AI’s biases can sneak in through the data it learns from. This can lead to some serious problems, from unfair hiring practices to reinforcing harmful stereotypes. It’s not just theoretical; AI’s “hallucinations” (when it confidently spouts misinformation) are real, they erode trust and are the evidence we are using to make decisions – good and bad.
But, hey, it’s not all doom and gloom! AI also brings some incredible benefits. It boosts efficiency by automating those tedious tasks that eat up our time, frees us up to focus on the work that really matters, and can analyse mountains of data, providing insights we could never have seen otherwise. That said, let’s consider also the other side.
The Human Touch in Leadership & Coaching
This got me thinking about what we, as individuals, really seek in leaders and coaches. And this is not just my opinion but the opinion of the thousands of participants we coach. Qualities like integrity, empathy, and clear communication are essential. We need leaders who inspire, support, and show humility. It’s not enough to just be efficient; we need genuine human connection.
The big question: How much of this human element can AI truly replicate? Sure, AI can analyse data and give us reminders, but can it offer that genuine empathy, care and guidance that a human coach provides? I wonder about this.
An Experiment & a Reality Check
And I wanted to share something funny, yet telling, that happened. I asked ChatGPT to create an image of Gen Z Australians at work. Seemed innocent enough, right? Then, I prompted it to add some Indian and Chinese Australians to reflect the diversity we see in the workplace today. Well, it crashed. It couldn’t do it.
This experiment highlights the limitations of AI, especially when it comes to understanding and representing diversity. It’s a reminder that we can’t rely solely on AI to build a truly inclusive environment.
The Takeaway
AI is a powerful tool with the potential to do great things, but it’s not a magic bullet. We need to be mindful of its limitations, especially the risk of bias. Let’s focus on ensuring that AI enhances, rather than replaces, the human connection that’s so critical in leadership, coaching, and creating a better world for everyone.
We at Peeplcoach know that by utlising the benefits of AI whilst not denying the essential role of human leaders and human connection we will be here for years to come.
If you’d like to find out more about how Peeplcoach Programs can help you or your team, contact us here.
