Let’s get real…

By Doug Gray, PhD

Artificial intelligence dominates headlines with promises of revolutionary change, so it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the noise. But beneath the hype and buzzwords lies tremendous value that can be applied immediately—particularly for family business leaders, Next Gens and smaller organizations.

Cutting Through the AI Noise

There’s a lot of “hoo-ha” around artificial intelligence today. Open any business publication—Harvard Business Review, McKinsey reports, VentureBeat, or Forbes—and you’ll find endless articles about AI’s utility, examples, and trends. Terms like “predictive analytics” get tossed around without clear definitions. Can we truly predict the next word in a sentence or the next market opportunity? There are tools like Lex Machina and Bloomberg Law that can forecast divorce or succession risk.  But should they do so?  The ethical clarity isn’t always there.

What we call “artificial human intelligence” are essentially algorithms—compilations designed to anticipate the next word. You’ve experienced this already: when you type “How do I…” into a Google browser, it fills in the likely next words, based on your search history. This predictive capability has evolved from simple sentence search completion to sophisticated tools like Microsoft’s Copilot that can generate content, edit documents, and create personalized interactions.  AI learns from itself, which is why the default browser for Google has recently been replaced by Gemini.

The Rise of Customized AI

One of the most powerful developments is the ability to create customized AI systems. I’ve built what some call a “closed chat GPT”—an AI trained on my books, dissertation, research papers, blog posts, and website content.  I call it “Gray Matters” and share it with my clients.  When asked, “How would Doug respond to this situation?” it provides evidence-based answers drawn from that data set. Crucially, you can configure these closed systems to maintain confidentiality, which prevents your data from being shared with large language models.

Small business leaders can leverage this same technology. If you need to maintain client confidentiality for legal reasons but want to provide unique value to those clients, a closed AI system offers a perfect solution. This fact explains why there are so many chatbots on company websites—they’re cost-efficient and can provide consistent service 24/7.  Do you need to invest in Schwab or Fidelity or Vanguard?  Then you need to interact with bots before humans.

Digital Trust and Consumer Adaptation

Remember when Amazon first introduced Prime? Many doubted that package would succeed. Now one-click purchasing and “people like you bought” suggestions have become standard AI tools. These weren’t implemented randomly—they were based on extensive data analysis showing that buyers of one product were likely to purchase related items.

This example reflects a broader trend: we have developed increased digital trust in AI tools. Think about how you interact with Siri or Alexa—as if there’s another person in the room. These AI assistants weren’t part of our lives a decade ago, yet now they’ve become integral to our daily routines. Our expectations around AI are also shifting—we expect it to be personalized, always available, and worthy of our digital trust.

Accelerating Leadership Development

For the past year, I’ve focused on how AI can accelerate leadership development. The implications are profound for any individual or team committed to professional development. We can now provide 24/7 utility to confidential resources and interactive learning opportunities using AI avatars based on customized role-plays and scenarios.

Imagine clicking on ChatGPT repeatedly to gain insight into difficult topics: How do I deal with anxiety? How do I sleep better? How do I have a difficult conversation with a family member who’s resistant to dialogue?  Now, these are skills that can be developed through deliberate practice.

Years ago, when I asked Google, “Can you be my executive coach?” it said “Not at this time.”  Today, any AI platform—whether it’s ChatGPT, Claude, Grok, Poe, or another—will happily take on that role.

Our Hybrid Coaching Solution

AI can re-design executive coaching, leadership consulting, and transform your career.  Imagine using hybrid coaching that combines AI practice with human expertise. Let me give you some examples. 

A client named George wanted to develop better communication skills but didn’t want to ask his manager for help. Using our AI platform, George practiced difficult conversations repeatedly in a confidential environment. Then, when we meet for our 1:1 executive coaching session, George can share his screen and show me his AI interactions. I can provide feedback not just on the content of his responses but on his approach to learning.

This hybrid model works across professions. Imagine you’re a lawyer with clients who need to discuss succession planning, or a family wealth advisor helping clients prepare for difficult conversations with the next generation. These discussions require skills that many people haven’t developed.  Behavioral feedback can provide better analysis and coaching suggestions than humans.   When we practice new skills with AI, my clients can find the right words and approaches before having those crucial real-world conversations.

B2C and B2B Applications

I’ve developed two models for implementing hybrid consulting:  

B2C (Business to Consumer): Individuals can access a platform to practice scenarios like dealing with anxiety, burnout, difficult family members, or deeper questions about purpose and faith. For about $100 monthly ($1,200 annually), users get unlimited access to AI-assisted practice scenarios. That investment often delivers more lasting value than a couple of traditional coaching sessions at the same investment level.  See www.JITCoach.com or ask for a demo.

B2B (Business to Business): Teams and organizations can implement AI-assisted consulting to accelerate skill development. The data is compelling—sales teams using these approaches have shown a 24% increase in sales performance and 97% improvements in training retention. Compared to traditional online training programs that often show minimal results, this AI-assisted consulting represents a breakthrough.  See www.Action-Learning.com or ask for a demo.

The Bottom Line

Artificial intelligence has been evolving since 1995.   Now we have reached a point where it’s more consumer-friendly and accessible than ever. Just as you talk to Siri or use ChatGPT, you can now use AI-assisted consulting tools to accelerate your skill development, improve communication, and achieve outcomes faster, more effectively, and more affordably.

We will interact with AI-driven cars and live in an AI-enhanced world.  Why wouldn’t we apply these same technologies to leadership development and executive coaching?

Want to learn more about implementing AI in your leadership development? Contact Doug at doug@action-learning.com or visit action-learning.com to schedule a demo.