Episode #60 ~ The Rise Of The Machine Coaches with guest, Sam Isaacson

In this episode of "Beyond the Page," the Choice Magazine podcast, host Gary Schleifer engages in an enlightening conversation with writing coach Sam Isaacson on his thought-provoking article titled "The Rise of the Machine Coaches." Together, they delve into the profound impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the realm of professional coaching.

Sam Isaacson sheds light on the rapid advancements of generative AI, which has become more accessible through its user-friendly interface. He highlights how people can now prompt AI tools using plain language for coding tasks and even virtual coaching. While AI can offer coaching responses, Sam emphasizes the vital role of human guidance in improving its coaching skills and ensuring ethical behavior.

The discussion delves into the intriguing question of whether AI will eventually replace human coaches. While AI presents efficiency and valuable insights, it lacks the essential human relationship aspect that coaching thrives upon. The choice to embrace AI coaching is contingent upon individual needs, preferences, and comfort levels with technology.

The field of AI and coaching continues to evolve, and attitudes towards AI coaches vary widely among individuals. Sam shares his belief that large organizations might prefer AI coaching for its cost-effectiveness and accessibility. It could become a more affordable option, particularly for those new to coaching within organizations.

Despite the potential benefits of AI in democratizing coaching and providing broader access to coaching services, Sam expresses concern about its impact on the coaching industry. He raises awareness about the risk of AI reinforcing existing beliefs instead of fostering the crucial outcome of coaching – encouraging individuals to change their minds and grow.

Sam Issacson is an enthusiastic coach, coach supervisor, and coachtech thought leader.

He writes a popular LinkedIn newsletter and has written books on coaching with technology.

He also is the founder of the Coachtech Collective, a monthly gathering of coaches grappling with technology, and works closely with the ICF and EMCC Global.

With a background in professional services and a disruptive coaching technology startup, he's Chair of the UK Government's Coaching Professional apprenticeship, and is the first person to have delivered executive coaching in virtual reality.

Watch the full interview by clicking here.

Find the full article here: https://bit.ly/btp_issacson

Learn more about  Sam here.

Grab your free issue of choice Magazine here - https://choice-online.com/

In this episode, I talk with  Sam about his article published in our June 2023 issue.