When is an AI not a coach - when we call it an AI Coach

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Are you ready to challenge everything you think you know about “AI coaching”? Then you need to listen to this episode of the MyLunchTable Podcast, hosted by Simon Hague. We’re cutting through the hype and jargon to ask the big question: can a machine really coach you like a human can?

Here’s the truth: nearly 70% of organisations are already using AI-powered tools for leadership and learning. But let’s be honest—most of what’s called “AI coaching” is just clever software giving prompts, reminders, and data-driven nudges. Helpful? Absolutely. Coaching? Not even close.

Simon breaks it down with a side-by-side comparison of human coaches and AI systems. Humans bring empathy, intuition, and real connection—qualities no algorithm can fake. AI, on the other hand, is always available and great with patterns, but it doesn’t really “get” you. It can’t listen between the lines or sense what you’re not saying.

So why does it matter what we call these tools? Because words shape our expectations. Calling an app a “coach” is like calling your satnav a driving instructor. It’s misleading—and it sells short what real coaches do.

If you care about personal growth, leadership, and learning, you can’t afford to miss this episode. Simon shares why we need to get honest about what AI can and can’t do, and how the future is about blending the best of both worlds—not replacing humans with machines.

Ready for a fresh perspective? Grab your cuppa, tune in, and discover why the right label matters more than ever. This is the conversation that everyone in development and learning needs to hear.