For the past 5 years, I’ve been researching ways artificial intelligence can help us become better communicators and better leaders.

Imagine if every person had an AI coach who could help them improve their speaking skills, even when a human coach wasn’t available.

AI doesn’t have to replace humans, it can empower them by helping them communicate and connect with others.

This fall, I’ll be delivering my keynote speech around the country on AI, Authenticity, and the Future of Human Connection.

For the past 30 years, I’ve focused on human connection through both performance (as an opera singer turned folksinger) – and through speaking (as a keynote speaker and executive advisor).

How do we use AI to connect with others, and still maintain our authenticity?

I recently developed the AI Authenticity Loop to help leaders use AI in the communication process while ensuring their authenticity. The term “loop” is a reference to the recommendation from AI experts to have a human “in the loop” when using AI, for reasons of accountability, accuracy, and ethics.

The AI Authenticity Loop

Communication starts and ends with humans.

1—Human Idea

You have an idea, a challenge, or a need that requires communication. You have to craft a presentation or deliver a difficult message. You might ask:

• How can we address a critical business problem?
• How can I convince leadership to increase our budget?
• How can I gain buy-in from my team?

2—AI Brainstorm Partner

Once you identify your idea, an AI tool like ChatGPT or Claude serves as a collaborative brainstorming partner, offering ways to frame your argument. It can give you feedback on your message, on your clarity, based on your audience. Of course, your team, friends, and family – not to mention a trained expert – can also provide support. However, the AI is available 24/7 and is judgment-free, unlike some of your friends and family members.

3—Human Review

You interpret the AI’s suggestions and use critical thinking to evaluate which suggestions to take. You make decisions based on the feedback the AI provides, asking:

• Does this represent my views? Is it authentic to me?
• Is this accurate? In what way might it incorporate a bias?

We know that AI can be wrong, even though it sounds right. We need to treat it as an “unverified source” and fact-check everything it provides.

Based on this step, you then write the speech or draft the message. Yes, the AI could do this for you, but you must always review it with a critical eye. Ultimately, you are responsible for the words that come out of your mouth – or from your email address.

4—AI Practice Partner

Once you craft your message, the AI can again provide support. It can provide feedback on your delivery, from your energy to nonverbal communication skills.

My team and I at Global Public Speaking use an AI practice platform called AMPLIFY, powered by Yoodli.ai, that lets you record a video and get AI-generated feedback instantly on your pacing, pausing, filler words, and even your content. If you’re nervous the night before a difficult conversation, how about using AMPLIFY to role-play with your AI coach? Yes, a trained expert can also help! The AI is simply there to help when a trained expert isn’t available.

5—Human Delivery

Finally, you are the one who delivers the message – on a stage, in a conference room, or on camera. And your human audience receives the message, is moved by the message, and is inspired to come up with new ideas.

And the process starts all over again.

That’s the AI Authenticity Loop: a circle of Human / AI collaboration. You can use AI to brainstorm the message, and practice the message, but always filter and deliver it through the lens of your authenticity, expertise, and humanity.

You’re not just keeping the human in the loop: the human IS the loop.

As a result, you achieve connection, which leads to trust, which leads to action.

Give it a try!