From disorientation to clarity
What happens when a long time client quietly replaces you with a younger trainer with the same but different offering? What would your reaction be when you look at the replacement’s profile and see reasons why you were replaced? How would you feel when the process of replacement was done without warning, without discussion, without empathy or provision of a chance to change?
I have always got above average participant feedback for the training I run. So to discover that I had been replaced without warning totally threw me off course. The biggest disruption was the emergence of AI.
Suddenly it was like AI could write, design, create, produce within split seconds what I took months and months to mull over and meticulously develop. How do you fight when you can’t even make out your enemy?
Out of curiosity I asked AI to create a lesson plan for a storytelling workshop. It came out with plan complete with topics, ideas, and timing breakdown (including breaks!) within a few seconds. I felt really cheated!
I have always aimed to give people a voice, the validation that they do have a say, and the ability to tell their own stories. The process can be challenging on many counts. I try to give them the tools and skills and most of all the enCOURAGEment to tell them.
But after AI, why would anyone want to do it the arduous “slow-cook, charcoal broiled” way to tell stories when they can “microwave, instant cook” their stories? Why learn to create videos when AI can churn out videos in seconds?
Over the last two months, I took up two courses in Artificial Intelligence: (1) Digital Transformation in the Era of 5G & AI and (2) Social Media Marketing with AI Tools. Seven days over seven weeks.
I used AI to replicate what I do and here’s what I found:
What AI can and cannot do
AI can analyse data, but it cannot feel nor empathise nor connect with others on an emotional level. It does not have the emotional intelligence to tailor communication that resonates with people authentically.
AI can research and generate content very quickly, but it can’t draw on personal experiences, emotions, or insights in the way that human beings can. Authenticity and credibility come from lived experiences.
AI lacks the ability to build genuine human connections or read intangible and complex cultural and social cues. Only human beings can establish and nurture friendship and trust.
So there: this blog is going to be about my journey towards clarity in a world that’s fast changing.
P.S. This post was written with 95% sweat and a tiny 5% research help from AI.