Leveraging AI Coaching for Change and Learning

Welcome to the Age of Agentic: Rethinking Change Management

Change in organizations isn’t just happening, it’s happening fast. With artificial intelligence (AI) reshaping how businesses operate, the way we approach work, and even how we think about leadership, the old playbook for managing change just isn’t cutting it anymore.

Coming out of this year’s World Economic Forum in Davos, I kept hearing about the Age of Agentic—a new era where AI-driven agents and digital ecosystems aren’t just supporting decision making and learning; they’re actively shaping them. If there’s one thing that’s clear, it’s this: organizations need to rethink how they handle change. The traditional, top-down methods simply don’t work anymore.

The numbers back this up. Despite decades of structured change management frameworks, research (including McKinsey’s often-cited stat) shows that more than 70 percent of change initiatives fail. I hear this echoed by leaders all the time. Why? Because most organizations still rely on outdated methods—executives dictating change from the top, workshops for managers, and mass emails for employees. These approaches fail to create real buy-in.

But there’s a better way!

AI Coaching: Scaling Support for Change

Coaching is a powerful tool for driving transformation. Unlike traditional training, it’s personalized and helps employees process change in a way that makes sense to them. But there’s a problem—coaching at scale is expensive and hard to implement across an entire organization. This is where AI-driven systemic coaching comes in.

AI-powered coaching provides personalized, scalable, and cost-effective support. Instead of a one-size-fits-all approach, AI coaching engages employees in structured conversations that align with both individual needs and broader strategic initiatives.

It also creates a psychologically safe space for employees to reflect on changes—whether it’s AI adoption, digital transformation, or cultural shifts. That means higher engagement, better adoption rates, and a workforce that actually wants to embrace change.

And here’s the game-changer: AI coaching eliminates the traditional financial and logistical barriers, making coaching accessible at scale. Instead of being limited to a handful of executives or high-potential employees, AI-driven coaching can support everyone, unlocking change readiness across the organization.

Does AI Coaching Actually Work?

One of the biggest questions I hear from executives is: Does AI coaching actually work?

The research says yes. Studies from the International Coaching Federation (ICF) show the value of coaching interventions, and in 2022, Dr. Nicky Terblanche published findings showing that AI coaching can be just as effective as human coaching in helping people navigate change.

I’ll be honest—I was skeptical at first, too. But after reading countless anonymized coaching session logs, I’ve been blown away by the impact. The conversations are meaningful. The reflections are deep. And the potential? It’s massive.

AI Coaching Goes Beyond Individual Support—It’s a Strategic Advantage

Beyond helping employees navigate change, AI-driven coaching offers organizations something incredibly valuable: real-time workforce insights.

Unlike traditional employee surveys (which often have low participation rates and limited depth), AI coaching platforms can anonymously aggregate data from thousands of coaching conversations. This gives leaders a dynamic, nuanced understanding of employee sentiment, concerns, and engagement levels—without having to rely on assumptions.

In other words, AI coaching doesn’t just support employees, it gives leadership the data they need to make smarter, more informed decisions.

Overcoming Resistance: AI Is Here to Enhance, Not Replace

Of course, not everyone is on board yet. Some change management professionals (ironically) can be some of the biggest skeptics. The biggest fear? That AI coaching will replace human coaches and change consultants.

The reality is the opposite. AI coaching isn’t about replacing humans—it’s about expanding access.

By handling routine coaching interactions, AI frees up human coaches and change experts to focus on high-value, deep-dive conversations that require emotional intelligence and expertise. The result? A model where coaching is more inclusive, efficient, and meaningful.

AI Coaching: The Future of Change Management

AI-driven systemic coaching isn’t just a passing trend, it’s the future. Organizations that embrace it will see better change adoption, more engaged employees, and a leadership team armed with real-time insights.

The question isn’t if AI coaching will become the norm. It’s when.

Are you ready for the shift?