We have all experienced those surprisingly warm responses from AI tools – chatbots that seem to get us. For example:
A customer complains about a delayed delivery and hears: “I completely understand how frustrating it can be to wait longer than expected. I am here to help you resolve this as quickly as possible.”
A student says they feel overwhelmed by an assignment and AI replies: “It sounds as if you are feeling stressed about this project. Let’s break it down together, step by step.”
A patient tells a virtual care assistant they have been living with chronic pain, and it responds: “I’m so sorry you’ve been experiencing this for so long. Chronic pain can be frustrating and exhausting. Let’s look at some options together that might help you manage this better.”
AI tools simulate empathy well – by recognizing emotions, validating feelings, and offering support. In fact, a recent study in Nature Communications Psychology found that AI-generated responses were often rated as more compassionate and responsive than those of both laypeople and experts, including crisis professionals.
But here is the truth: Empathy without accountability is empty and misleading. AI’s ability to mirror feelings can create a false sense of safety, which can erode trust over time.
AI is a Helpful Tool but It’s No Career Coach
As a career coach, I often hear clients talk about how they are using AI in their job searches. Tools like Google’s Career Dreamer and LinkedIn’s Next Role Explorer help users identify career paths based on skills and interests, refine resumes, and draft cover letters. These AI platforms act like assistants – guiding users to relevant courses, job ideas, and even potential career paths.
It’s no surprise. A 2025 Market Trend Report from Career Group Companies shows that 65% of job seekers use AI at some point in the application process. Here is the breakdown:
- 19% use it for resume writing
- 20% use it for their cover letter
- 9% use it for their headshot
- 7% use it for interview practice
- 5% use it for work samples
- 5% use it for career guidance
AI can be an excellent starting point. But there is something that AI just cannot do.
What AI Misses and What a Human Coach Sees
While AI can suggest job titles and industries, it can’t sit across the table from you, listen to your stories, watch your eyes light up when you talk about a favorite project, or notice when your energy drops as you describe a task you didn’t enjoy.
At JMA, our Career Discovery process is built on human connection. We help you uncover not just what you want to do, but why – by listening to your tone, your body language, and the words between the lines. Research shows that communication is:
- 55% nonverbal
- 38% tone
- 7% words
When you interact with AI, you are getting feedback based on the 7%, not the whole picture.
Related: The Impact of Words, Tone, and Body Language
The Power of Human Conversation in Career Discovery
I do think AI can be helpful for career development by providing lists of new careers to consider. For example, you might use AI to help you explore categories of jobs, find industries that are hiring and expanding, or narrow down your job search by factors like preferences, location and how well roles align with your skills and experience.
But my number one piece of advice to clients looking to get into a new career is still the same from the first day I started coaching (well before AI existed) and that is to talk to people. There is no substitute for having conversations with people in the industry to find out what works well for them as well as possible pain points. AI can even help you prepare for those conversations by providing industry insight and company history, but it is no replacement for the human conversation. That conversation will reveal insights and could even lead you to an exciting, overlooked path.
For example, one of my clients (we’ll call her Emily) had been exploring a career change into sustainability using AI tools to map her skills and potential roles but felt something was missing. It was not until she spoke with a sustainability consultant that things clicked. The consultant listened to Emily’s background and suggested a career in sustainable supply chain management – an idea Emily had never considered. That personal insight, born from real-world experience and a human connection, revealed a path that AI had not uncovered.
Everyone Has Blind Spots – That’s Why Coaching Matters
AI cannot notice your blind spots, but a coach can. When a client says something that raises a red flag, I know to pause and dig deeper. That is where breakthroughs happen.
So, if you are thinking about a career change, use AI as a helpful tool – but do not stop there.
There’s No Substitute for a Good Coach
AI can assist you with resumes (though we don’t recommend it) and job titles, but it’s no replacement for the depth, insight, and accountability that a real conversation with a coach brings. If you’re ready to get clear on your career direction, understand your unique strengths, and make a plan for your future, it’s time to talk.