This highlight video is from February 13, 2025 session AI Practical Lab: Coaching on Demand—Integrating AI and Humans.

AI is Changing the Coaching Game—Here’s How

"We all know that coaching works, but it’s inordinately expensive for every single person in the organization to have a coach. AI can be a game-changer in democratizing access to coaching." -- Mike Hruska

Coaching has long been one of the most effective ways to develop talent, but for many organizations, it remains a privilege for a select few. Scaling one-on-one coaching across an entire workforce is costly, time-consuming, and difficult to sustain.

Enter AI-powered coaching assistants. With custom AI-driven coaching tools, we can democratize coaching and provide real-time, tailored feedback to employees at every level, without the traditional constraints of cost and availability.

Key Takeaways for Senior HR Talent Leaders from this session:

• AI-powered coaching is no longer a ‘nice-to-have’—it’s an enabler of high-performance cultures.
  With the right AI tools, organizations can provide scalable, high-impact coaching that enhances learning, leadership development, and workplace productivity.
• Custom AI chatbots allow HR leaders to personalize coaching experiences. Instead of generic training modules, AI can engage employees in role-playing exercises, simulate tough workplace conversations, and tailor feedback based on individual goals.
• AI doesn’t replace human coaches—it enhances coaching accessibility and effectiveness. While AI can provide instant, unbiased feedback, human mentors remain critical for emotional intelligence and strategic guidance. AI should be seen as a complementary tool, not a substitute.

Practical Actions for HR Leaders to Implement AI Coaching

• Start Small: Experiment with custom AI chatbots tailored for coaching in specific areas like performance reviews, sales training, or leadership development.
• Use AI for Role-Playing & Practice: Enable employees to simulate tough conversations (e.g., delivering feedback, negotiating, or handling objections).
• Embed AI in Learning & Development Programs: AI-driven coaching can reinforce goal setting, performance tracking, and personalized skill-building.
• Ensure Ethical & Responsible AI Use: Define clear guidelines to avoid bias, ensure data privacy, and maintain human oversight in coaching interventions.

The Future of Coaching is AI-Enhanced, Not AI-Replaced

The ability to deliver quality coaching at scale has always been a challenge for HR and L&D leaders. AI-powered coaching tools are bridging this gap, making real-time, on-demand coaching accessible to all employees.

AI is not here to replace human coaches—it’s here to empower HR leaders with the tools to make coaching more effective, scalable, and personalized. Organizations that embrace AI-enhanced coaching will not only boost employee performance and engagement but also foster a culture of continuous learning and development.

🔹 The question isn’t if AI will shape the future of workplace coaching—it’s how soon will your organization be ready to embrace it? Continue this conversation on ELE Idea Exchange.