How to Master AI and Authenticity in Coaching

How do you stay relevant when AI can now draft client assessments in seconds?

How do you build trust in a marketplace where everyone claims to be a certified coach?

These aren’t hypothetical questions — they’re the daily reality facing coaching professionals in 2026.

The coaching profession is standing at an exciting crossroads. The world around us continues to evolve, and the professional coaching landscape is shifting rapidly in tandem. Artificial intelligence (AI) tools have moved from experiment to essential practice management infrastructure. Client expectations are rising, and the coaches who thrive will be those who actively engage with these shifts rather than reacting to them.

New AI-driven tools are already reshaping administrative tasks and opening new possibilities for coaching practices. At the same time, expectations are rising for professionals to grow as practitioners and expand key skills. The coaching profession is more dynamic, diverse, and connected than ever before.

Here’s what you can start doing today: Identify one administrative task in your coaching practice that takes 30-plus minutes weekly. That’s your first AI automation opportunity. Then ask: What would I do with that reclaimed time to deepen client impact? This simple exercise shows how technology can amplify — not replace — the human elements of coaching.

But transformation isn’t just about adopting new tools. That’s why connecting with others navigating these same changes matters more than ever.

Why In-Person Connections Still Matter

In an era of virtual everything, face-to-face gatherings have become more valuable, not less.

Conversations spark ideas. They drive innovation and positive change within the global coaching community. Yet opportunities for coaching professionals to come together in person remain rare — to inspire one another, discover new perspectives, and strengthen practices with fresh insights.

That’s why in-person connections remain essential for continuous learning. Coaches often ask, “How do I refine my craft? How do I get better as a coach?” Access to experts in specific fields supports professional development and helps coaches better serve clients and achieve meaningful outcomes.

In a global profession, different backgrounds, cultures, and contexts enrich coaching. Including diverse voices strengthens the profession. Personal growth requires reflecting on differences, integrating them into practice, and embedding them into a strong coaching culture. When those voices come together, space is created for the exchange of ideas, shared values, and collaborative problem-solving at a global level.

But what does that look like in action?

At ICF Converge Summit 2026, Shannon Frye, coach community of practice program manager at Deloitte; Anna Tavis, PhD, clinical professor of human capital management at New York University and author of The Digital Coaching Revolution; and Stefan Kreil, transformation coach lead at SAP, will share their expertise in a workshop titled “Coaching Cultures in Action.”

Together, they will explore how leading organizations are leveraging coaching to drive transformation, engagement, and impact. Drawing on real-world experience, the workshop will feature case studies highlighting the key levers behind successful coaching programs, emerging AI opportunities, and strategies for scaling and sustaining coaching cultures. Through a mix of panel discussion and small-group breakouts, participants will learn how to build coaching cultures that deliver lasting impact through collaboration and best-practice sharing.

AI and Personal Branding in Coaching

Looking to stay ahead of key coaching trends? AI is already transforming coaching practices by streamlining intake questionnaires, tracking patterns across sessions, and generating first-draft client summaries — creating more space for deeper client work.

Global coaching conversations provide opportunities to explore the trends shaping the future of coaching.

But technology is only part of the equation. In a competitive marketplace, a coach’s ability to stand out and build trust is just as critical. That’s where personal branding comes in. When combined with AI, personal branding can enhance visibility and reach while preserving the authentic voice that defines professional coaching.

The Summit brings this conversation to life with an immersive session led by Luigi Centenaro, founder of BigName.pro, a leading talent innovation business. Luigi offers a practical perspective on one of coaching’s most pressing questions: how to embrace AI without losing authenticity. His work at the intersection of technology and personal branding provides actionable strategies for coaches seeking to differentiate themselves while staying grounded in human connection.

Designed for coaches ready to amplify their impact, this three-hour workshop will demonstrate how to use AI to design a coaching brand, identify tools that support brand clarity and content creation, and build an effective brand-elevation action plan — all while maintaining the authentic voice that makes every coach unique.

Coaching Excellence Via Sustained Well-Being

As the coaching profession evolves alongside AI and rising client expectations, excellence will depend not only on new tools but also on the well-being, presence, and humanity of coaches themselves. Sustaining that human edge is essential to the future of coaching.

When was the last time you laughed — really laughed — during a coaching session? If you can’t remember, you may be missing a powerful catalyst for insight and connection.

Positive well-being among coaches and clients is key to mental health, trust, and strong coaching relationships. At the Summit, Bea Bincze — senior executive coach, trainer, humor ambassador, and business coach — will explore these concepts with a focus on the power of humor. A simple laugh over a shared moment can elevate mindset, strengthen partnerships, and create lasting impact between coach and client.

Humor can also be intentionally adopted as a strategic coaching tool. Used thoughtfully, it can support key ICF Core Competencies, including shifting perspectives, exploring meaning and learning, and cultivating a grounded yet light coaching presence.

Importantly, this session addresses coach well-being alongside client well-being, reinforcing the role of sustainable practice in professional excellence. Through practical techniques such as red-light laughter, humor habit tracking, and mindful improvisation, participants will learn how to build a personal “humor first aid kit” that supports creativity, resilience, and long-term impact.

Coaching should be a joyous profession. This interactive workshop invites coaches at all stages of their journey to rediscover laughter — not only in their coaching work but also in their day-to-day lives.

Sessions like this remind us that the future of coaching isn’t defined only by innovation and technology — it’s also shaped by how coaches show up, connect, and sustain themselves.

Defining the Future of Coaching Together

The future of coaching will be shaped by the conversations taking place today. When coaches, leaders, and coaching advocates connect across borders, generations, and disciplines, meaningful dialogue accelerates the evolution of the profession.

The ICF Converge Summit creates space for these conversations by combining interactive sessions, practical insights, and opportunities to connect with peers from around the world.

Join the global coaching community to help define how coaching responds to and integrates emerging technologies, prepares practices for evolving client expectations, and meets the changing needs of society.

The coaches who will lead the profession tomorrow are the ones engaging in these conversations today.

Will you be among them?

Join us in Paris this May – reserve your space at Converge Summit today.