When Everyone Gets a Coach: The AI-Powered Revolution in Learning

This article published in US News and World Report (September 17th)

Much attention has been focused on AI's disruptive impact on white-collar occupations, raising concerns about massive job loss and replacement. However, fixating on these concerns can obscure the significant breakthroughs enabled by technological advancements – particularly in enhancing the speed, efficiency and methods used in human learning.

As much as the traditional job architecture has come under threat, solutions for mitigating and adapting to AI's impact on humans at work are becoming readily accessible. Committing to proven reskilling initiatives and embracing lifelong learning is no longer enough; adopting AI to augment human capabilities can pave the way for a more resilient and dynamic workforce.

Understanding AI and Digital Coaching

One learning and development method that is receiving broader recognition and increased adoption is digital coaching. What started as tentative experiments with chatbots has, in just a few years, become a leading trend in human learning. AI-powered personalized coaching is transforming coaching from a specialized, individual-focused method to a democratized, personalized and scalable solution for diverse learning needs.

Traditionally, access to “elite” coaches, such as holistic health expert Deepak Chopra, executive coach Marshall Goldsmith and motivational speaker Tony Robbins, was limited to high-level executives. The development of AI-driven avatars and clones, however, is changing this landscape. These digital clones replicate the coaching methodologies and insights of their human counterparts, making expert guidance accessible to a much broader audience. Goldsmith's digital clone, for example, offers personalized coaching sessions that leverage his extensive experience, allowing individuals at a variety of levels to benefit from his leadership guidance.

The Digital Coaching Ecosystem

While the value of personal coaching for peak performance has been recognized since the days of Socrates and Homer, the fusion of coaching and technology in business has only gained significant momentum in the last decade.

Pioneering digital coaching companies such as BetterUp (launched in 2013), Torch (2017), Bravely (2017), Valence (2018), Optify (2018), CoachHub (2018), Ezra (2019), AceUp (2019) and many others have spearheaded this fast-growing marketplace of digital coaching solutions, each offering tools and services for personalized coaching, client relationship management and AI-enhanced skills development.

To enhance personalization and create the illusion of an emotional connection – long considered the exclusive domain of human coaches – some companies are giving their AI bots human names. Valence, for example, calls its AI coach "Nadia," while AIIR Consulting has named its coach "Aiiron.”

These bots are designed to provide not just automated responses but meaningful, context-aware interactions that mirror the insights and empathy of human coaches. The result is a powerful, scalable approach to coaching that meets the diverse needs of modern organizations, ensuring that employees at most levels have access to the guidance they need to thrive.

When asked about his vision for the future role of digital coaching in the workplace, Parker Mitchell, founder and CEO of Valence, explains, “We built Nadia with the vision that in a few years or less, everyone at work can have their personal work coach, one that gives them support, tips (and) guidance to help them be their best self, to learn and to reach their full potential.

The Future of AI Coaching

The global online coaching market is expected to grow from a market value of $2.19 billion in 2022 to about $6.79 billion by 2031, according to Growth Market Reports. This growth includes various platforms providing digital coaching solutions tailored to individual and corporate needs.

A recent survey of learning and development leaders conducted by Charter and Valence illustrates significant advancement in adopting AI-powered learning experiences.

Currently, 28% of respondents are already utilizing these tools, while 29% are actively evaluating their options. Additionally, 22% plan to explore AI learning tools in 2024. Only 6% have neither explored these technologies nor have any plans to do so. Collectively, this data suggests that by the end of the year, up to three-quarters of the respondents could have integrated AI-powered tools into their learning and development strategies, indicating a strong trend toward broad adoption of AI in learning and development.

At global information services firm Experian, an AI-powered coaching tool earned widespread adoption. “It had 100% uptake within an hour of launching,” says Lesley Wilkinson, chief talent officer at Experian, in response to the rollout. “We offered it to over 50 managers as a first pilot, and the Net Promoter Score (NPS) came back in the 90s, and managers are using it many times a week.”

Related: 

6 Ways to Become a More Inclusive Leader in the Workplace

How Managers and Employees Should Adopt New AI-Driven Coaching Tools

For those new to this technology, it's important to approach the adoption of new AI-driven coaching tools with careful planning and a thoughtful strategy.

1. Educate yourself. Invest time in understanding how AI-driven coaching tools work and what benefits they offer. This includes learning about AI's capabilities in personalized coaching, real-time feedback and continuous learning.
2. Align with goals. Ensure that the adoption of AI tools is aligned with both your organizational and individual goals.
3. Start with a pilot program. Before fully integrating AI-driven coaching tools, start with a pilot program involving a small group of employees. This allows the organization to assess the tool's effectiveness, gather feedback and make necessary adjustments.
4. Lead by example. Managers should lead by example by using AI-driven coaching tools themselves. This demonstrates a commitment to using coaching and can help alleviate any fears or resistance among employees.
5. Track progress and listen to feedback. Continuously monitor the impact of AI-driven coaching tools on employee performance and engagement. Use metrics such as skill improvement, goal achievement and employee satisfaction to assess the effectiveness of the tools.
6. Promote ethical use. Establish guidelines for the ethical use of AI in coaching. This includes being transparent about how data is collected, used and shared, and ensuring that the AI tools are used to support, not replace, the human aspects of coaching.

As AI continues to evolve, its role in the workplace will expand, offering new opportunities for growth and development. However, successful adoption requires thoughtful planning, ethical considerations and a commitment to aligning these tools with both individual and organizational goals. The future of coaching is dynamic and full of potential. Those who embrace these AI-driven innovations will be leading the charge in a world that's evolving faster than ever.