The 18th meeting of the dialogue series "Coaching Meets AI" focused on the Zurich Congress on AI and Coaching. The following points were discussed:
1. Brief Report on the Congress
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Position of Prof. Dr. Nicky Terblanche:
- Prof. Dr. Nicky Terblanche advocates for dyadic coaching by AI machines as a replacement for human coaches.
- Objective: Democratization of coaching, particularly in regions such as Africa, where psychotherapy is often unavailable or unaffordable.
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Counterposition by Prof. Dr. Tatjana Bachkirova:
- Prof. Dr. Tatjana Bachkirova strongly criticizes AI coaching, asserting that it does not constitute genuine coaching.
- She calls for a clear definition of coaching and emphasizes that AI cannot replace fundamental human qualities.
2. The Role of AI in Coaching
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Opportunities and Challenges:
- AI offers efficiency and access to extensive knowledge but poses risks due to conceptual and ethical gaps.
- The ongoing discussion about the distinction between coaching, consulting, training, therapy, and AI-based coaching remains central.
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Standardization vs. Plurality:
- On one hand, standardization is demanded to ensure quality.
- On the other hand, plurality is viewed as an enrichment.
3. Ethics and Intelligence
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Tatjana Bachkirova’s Thesis:
- AI cannot replicate human intelligence due to its lack of physical embodiment, emotions, and the capacity for existential meaning-making.
- AI is based on stochastic models and merely simulates intelligence without true consciousness or wisdom.
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Group Discussion:
- Some participants view AI as a helpful tool but stress that it can never replace human warmth and empathy.
- Others express concerns that AI is defined by technocratic and economic interests, leading to a problematic equivalence with human intelligence.
4. Perspectives and Applications
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Jana’s Approach:
- She has developed a concept for systemic career coaching with an AI focus.
- Objective: To strategically integrate AI as a supportive team member in the coaching process to optimally support clients.
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Human-AI Collaboration:
- The group emphasizes the necessity of using AI as a tool to complement, not replace, human coaches.
Conclusions:
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Utilizing AI as a Tool:
- AI can enhance efficiency but does not provide a comprehensive solution for human coaching needs.
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Responsibility of Coaches:
- Human coaches must manage the use of AI and maintain their responsibility for ethical and quality standards.
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Future of AI Coaching:
- A clear distinction between human and machine intelligence, as well as the ongoing development of conceptual approaches, remains essential.
Final Remarks:
The discussion underscored that while AI coaching holds potential, it must always be approached critically and reflectively to uphold ethical and quality standards.