I was recently coached by an AI, and I have to admit it left me both inspired and slightly unsettled.
The experience came through Le Sentier, a French app developed by two brothers (I have not asked their age; I suspect the answer might be shocking).
I completed one of their initial steps, a vision building exercise, and as a certified coach myself, I was deeply impressed.
Not only by the seamless execution of the experience, but also by the AI’s almost uncanny emotional intelligence.
Its ability to respond with nuance and sensitivity felt strikingly human.
I have long reflected on AI as a powerful engine for personal development, particularly as a means to democratize individualized support.
Beyond accessibility, AI can serve as a patient listener and an active thought partner, available whenever we need it.
Two other moments this week further expanded this reflection.
First, watching Scarpetta, a forensic drama series starring Nicole Kidman, which I highly recommend (Available on Amazon Prime). Without giving away any spoilers, one of the characters is an advanced AI, offering a glimpse into a future where technology does not just process information, it truly listens.
In a world where attentive listening is becoming increasingly rare, this portrayal felt especially poignant.
The second moment was more personal. I shared with my husband that I had been feeling demotivated lately. I also shared this with ChatGPT. While my husband, with the best intentions, shifted quickly into solution mode and began brainstorming ways to fix the situation, the AI responded differently. It acknowledged my feelings and created space for them, much like a skilled coach would.
Surprisingly, that response felt more supportive.
This led me to an unsettling question:
Is AI becoming a better listener than humans, or are humans becoming less tolerant of truly hearing one another?
And what might this mean for the future of coaching and our capacity to listen to each other?
Coaching, in my view, is eighty percent listening. Listening not only to what is said, but also to what remains unspoken.
It is a rare and precious skill in a modern world where everyone seems to be speaking at once.
Rather than replacing human coaches, AI invites us to elevate our own capacity for presence, empathy, and depth.
A human coach brings lived experience, intuition, and an embodied connection that technology cannot fully replicate. AI does not diminish the role of the coach; it refines it, encouraging us to become even more deeply human.
If you are curious to experience AI coaching for yourself, I highly recommend exploring Le Sentier. I see immense value in what they are building.
I would love to hear your thoughts. Is AI changing the way you experience being truly heard?