In this insightful episode of The AI Grapple, host Kate VanderVoort is joined by Cat Matson, the dynamic CEO of Impactful Presenters. Cat is an expert in helping business owners and leaders communicate with authority, authenticity, and confidence. With her extensive background in digital transformation, including a notable tenure as Brisbane’s Chief Digital Officer, Cat brings a wealth of knowledge to the conversation, particularly on how AI is shaping the way we interact, work, and lead in business.

Throughout this engaging discussion, Kate and Cat explore some of the most pressing questions facing today’s business professionals in a world increasingly influenced by AI. They cover:

• The Parallels Between AI and Social Media’s Rise Cat draws fascinating comparisons between the rapid adoption of AI and the early days of social media. She reflects on how social media democratised communication but also led to unintended consequences, such as misinformation and privacy concerns. Could AI be following a similar path? And what lessons can we learn to better navigate this new digital frontier?

• AI’s Role in the Future of Business and Communication As more businesses adopt AI for everything from writing marketing copy to generating business strategies, Cat emphasises the importance of intent. Rather than simply replacing human effort, AI should be used to enhance creativity, productivity, and decision-making. Cat shares practical examples of how AI can support business owners in being more effective without sacrificing authenticity.

• The Importance of Authenticity in an AI-Driven World As a speaking coach, Cat has seen firsthand how important it is for professionals to retain their unique voice, even when using AI to assist with content creation. She discusses how to strike a balance between efficiency and staying true to your personal brand, offering strategies to ensure AI doesn’t dilute what makes you, you.

• The Future of Social Media and AI’s Impact Kate and Cat delve into the evolving role of social media, questioning whether AI might cause it to lose relevance. With distrust in social platforms growing and AI creating deep fakes and manipulated content, will people continue to engage in the same way? The pair explore how AI is pushing the boundaries of digital interaction and what this could mean for the future of communication.

• AI as a Learning Tool A particularly exciting part of the conversation is around AI’s potential in education. Cat and Kate discuss the benefits of using AI to personalise learning experiences, especially for neurodivergent individuals. From customising content to suit individual learning styles to creating innovative ways to explain difficult concepts, AI’s impact on education could be profound.

• Balancing Humanity and Technology At the heart of the conversation is the question of what makes us human. Cat reflects on how AI can, ironically, free us to be more human by automating mundane tasks and giving us more time to focus on what really matters – creativity, connection, and meaningful work. However, she also cautions against the risk of losing critical thinking and self-awareness as we rely more on AI for daily tasks.

Key Takeaways:

• AI offers immense potential to enhance productivity, but it must be used intentionally to avoid replacing what makes human effort valuable.
• Authenticity is key in communication – even when AI assists in content creation, it’s vital to maintain your personal voice and brand.
• Social media may be losing relevance as AI shapes digital interactions, but it also opens up new possibilities for business and personal engagement.
• AI’s role in education is set to grow, with opportunities for personalised learning and support for neurodivergent students.
• Despite its rapid development, AI should be approached with caution – it’s crucial to ensure that it serves to enhance human experience, not replace it.

Links and Resources Mentioned:

• Learn more about Cat Matson and her work at Impactful Presenters
• Tune in to Cat’s podcast, Speaking with Confidence
• Connect with Cat on LinkedIn

Join us for this thought-provoking conversation as we grapple with the implications of AI on our professional and personal lives, and explore how to stay ahead of the curve in this fast-evolving space.