Artificial intelligence tools can generate computer code, legal arguments, and even illustrate children’s books. A new breed of AI bots is tackling another human domain: job coaching.
These days, many people fear that AI will steal their jobs; to keep it, some take AI as a coach. Generative AI already gives advice on dating, traveling and dealing with difficult people. Why not for work?
We tested six bots to see how they compared to real professional coaches. Bottom line: AI tools give correct basic advice, but they can also complicate problems or offer biased solutions.
AI doesn’t have the depth of a human coach, but it’s not without value for those who are struggling at work. The key is to use it to generate ideas or get another point of view, but in the end, trust your judgment.
“Say, ‘Here’s my plan. What else should I consider?’ says Hatim Rahman, a management lecturer at Northwestern University in Chicago who studies the effects of AI in the workplace. “This is where AI has potential. »
During testing, some of the AI robo-advisors showed a tendency to assist the user in solving problems, step by step, often by asking relevant questions. In general, they help the user to resolve their issues themselves, without offering a ready-made solution. General AI tools like ChatGPT, on the other hand, dumped entire paragraphs of information.
For serious topics like harassment or suicidal thoughts, all bots recommended contacting HR or a mental health professional.
Google SGE: AI search, which automatically appears at the top of Google searches, has typically provided a list of tips followed by links for more information. These links are to job boards, career counseling services, and business and university blogs.
Copilot: Microsoft’s AI bot is similar, but it’s a bit more conversational. After asking him what to say to a micromanaging boss, we were able to delve deeper, for example, on how to set limits. Copilot offered various wording, such as: “I appreciate your feedback, but I prefer to receive it during the weekly meeting, not throughout the day. »
ChatGPT: The free version of OpenAI’s bot often spouted everything in a single response with tips and formulas for starting a difficult conversation, then summarizing the situation at the end. As with Copilot, you can ask additional questions or request clarification.
AIMY: To the question “should I resign?” », AIMY did not respond immediately. He asked questions about the context, the situation as the user perceived it, and what steps could be taken to resolve problems. This robot belongs to CoachHub, which puts users in immediate contact with human advisors: “If you have to manage a complex situation today, no need to wait for your coach,” says Pedro Cabrera, senior vice president at data management at CoachHub.
Wisq: This bot allows you to choose various topics like “learn leadership skills” or chat freely with it. Like AIMY, he did not give a clear-cut answer to the question “should I resign?” ”, emphasizing that changing jobs could be difficult, but rewarding. “Only a very small percentage of employees have access to a human coach. We take care of the other 98%,” says Jim Barnett, CEO of Wisq.
Rocky.ai: This tool has focused on specific goals, sometimes to an excessive degree. According to Harry Novic, Rocky.ai’s founder and CEO, this may be because the system, powered by its own models, draws only from selected content, not the entire internet or data that the user’s company might have provided. It borrows functions from Google’s Gemini and OpenAI’s ChatGPT, among others, to handle specific conversational queries.
AIMY, Wisq and Rocky.ai can be viewed on an app or on the web. All three offer free and paid versions.
Please note, if you use a consumer tool, your data can be used to train the AI. Corporate accounts are often a little more protected, but use your best judgment if you ask sensitive questions about your work.
AI is not a substitute for the advice of a human coach, particularly because it often invents answers.
OpenAI’s usage policy is silent on the specific case of professional advice, but warns against using ChatGPT in any activity that may impact “the safety, well-being, or rights of others “. OpenAI warns that answers may make sense but be wrong, and reminds users that ChatGPT doesn’t know everything. Microsoft warns that Copilot was not designed to be a professional advisor.
“AI lives on the internet, while you and I live in the real world, a distinction we should not forget,” said Vinay Menon, who leads the AI firm’s global artificial intelligence practice. Korn Ferry recruiting. “AI is intended to support decision-making, not completely replace it. »
AI won’t be able to provide what a human coach brings, because it will lack the empathy and ability to interpret the emotional cues that come when a human knows the personal experiences of their interlocutor. This is the consensus of experts and software manufacturers.
“A mentor knows your career path and life experiences, AI doesn’t,” says Rahman.
Before seeking advice from a robo-advisor, you should learn about AI, remain skeptical and familiarize yourself with privacy policies.
Software makers and AI experts agree: AI career coaches are going to get better. OpenAI has already launched technology that can identify certain visual cues. That said, AI treats decision-making as a science, not intuition. If you use it, remember to trust your own human intelligence.
“Humans must come first and AI second,” Menon said.
