Over the last few months I have been reading, listening and watching with interest how AI is evolving and impacting our world at pace. This is my reflections (at the moment) from a coaching perspective.
In a world of one click, AI and pressure of time, a new bias has appeared. Automation bias
Automation bias is the tendency for people to over-rely on quick automated systems and use, select or agree with suggestions from systems such as AI apps.
It has been shown to still be the case when the response or suggestion contradicts other available information, people’s previous experiences and existing decision making.
I think the bias could be significant in coaching as people are increasingly using AI in their everyday life, many coaches are short of time and often follow a ‘just in time’ approach to their planning whether this is for activities, sessions, meetings and even interactions with others.
Using AI to speed up thinking time, suggest ideas and practices based on a prompt or script can be helpful it reduces the need for critical thinking and reduces people’s professional judgement and considering their context (who they coach, when they coach, their philosophy and approaches, and the environment) into the decision making.
The biases are more likely to impact if…
#1. Coaches are under time pressure
Coaches are often volunteers, under time and workload pressures and cognitive load (work, life, family) is high.
This is very relevant when exploring new areas of coaching and aspects they are unfamiliar with.
#2. Coaches are used to using the web and social media for solutions in everyday life.
#3. Coaches have lack of experience or are new to coaching.
This final point is crucial as a new or inexperienced coach is less likely to filter and consider the information, approach or activity suggested.
What are your thoughts on a world where we can’t ignore AI, yet we need to use if carefully and effectively in your coaching practice.
thanks Panos Malakoudis, ACC, EIA for letting the ICF community know about these updates. Especially interesting is at least the mention in the glossary of AI systems and digital platforms as tools in coaching