Coaching in the Age of AI: What We Learned at the 2025 NYU Coaching & Technology Summit
Written by Coaching Blog on July 12, 2025
Earlier this July, hundreds of professionals from around the globe gathered in New York City for the 2025 NYU Coaching & Technology Summit, a dynamic two-day event that brought together more than 400 coaches, scientists, HR executives, and technology innovators. The conversations were bold, the insights were fresh, and the energy in the room was unmistakable: we are standing at a pivotal moment in the evolution of coaching.
At JB Coaches, we followed the event closely, not just to stay current with emerging tools and trends, but because we believe in the thoughtful, ethical growth of our field. This wasn’t just another tech conference. It was a call to align the human heart of coaching with the immense potential of AI, data, and science. And from opening keynotes to hands-on demos, the message rang clear: coaching isn’t being replaced. It’s being redefined, and elevated.
Coaching Is Not Going Anywhere: And That’s a Good Thing
One of the summit’s strongest themes was the reaffirmation that coaching is, and always will be, a deeply human practice. While the tools we use may evolve, the heart of what we do, holding space, asking powerful questions, creating conditions for self-discovery, remains irreplaceable.
Angie Kamath & Anna Tavis: Setting the Stage for Human-Centered Innovation
The event opened with remarks by Angie Kamath, Dean of NYU’s School of Professional Studies, and Dr. Anna Tavis, Director of the NYU Coaching Innovation Lab. They reminded us that we are not at a crossroads, but at a confluence. Technology and coaching are not in opposition, they are co-authors of a new chapter.
“Coaches must engage with tech, not retreat from it, and technologists must remember that transformation begins with trust.”
Where Psychology Meets Performance: Martin Seligman’s Vision
Dr. Martin E.P. Seligman, founder of the field of positive psychology and board member at BetterUp, delivered a powerful fireside chat that bridged the science of well-being with the practice of coaching. He spoke of coaching as a delivery mechanism for flourishing, rooted in research, tailored through empathy, and expanded through technology.
“Coaching isn’t just a tool for professional development, it’s a path to personal agency.”
Technology may amplify reach, but it’s the human coach who cultivates meaning.
Coaching Across Cultures: Adapting, Not Generalizing
Dr. Nicky Terblanche, founder of Coach Vici and professor at Stellenbosch Business School, emphasized that effective coaching must be sensitive to context, culture, and generation. What works in one organization—or one region—may not work in another.
Coaching must flex to fit the client’s environment, not force the client into a framework. Whether working with executives in Miami or teams across Latin America, we at JB Coaches embrace the need for cultural adaptability in every engagement.
Technology That Supports, Not Supplants
AI was a major focus of the summit, but not in the way you might expect. Speaker after speaker emphasized that AI isn’t replacing coaches. It’s supporting them. And in the right hands, it’s helping make coaching more personalized, scalable, and impactful.
Woody Woodward (BetterUp): Scaling Without Losing Soul
Dr. Woody Woodward, Chief Coaching Officer at BetterUp, shared how his team uses AI-driven tools to match coaches with clients, monitor progress, and personalize support, without compromising coaching’s relational depth.
“Coaching at scale must still be coaching at depth.”
This reflects what we believe at JB Coaches: human connection must remain at the center, even in a digital ecosystem.
The Neuroscience of Awareness: Omind & Hogan Assessments
Some of the most fascinating sessions came from companies developing the next generation of coaching tools.
Clarisse Pamies (Omind Neurotechnologies)
Omind CEO Clarisse Pamies introduced biometric wearables that track emotional regulation and stress levels during coaching sessions. But she cautioned that these tools must always be used ethically and with consent.
“Technology is a mirror, not a directive.”
John Horton (Hogan Assessments)
John Horton demonstrated how personality assessments can support leadership development and team dynamics, but stressed they must be interpreted in the context of human coaching, not taken at face value.
At JB Coaches, we use data to enhance, not define, the coaching journey. Tools are helpful, but transformation still happens in conversation.
Organizations Leaning In: Merck, CVS, and Beyond
Companies like Merck, CVS, and BetterUp were actively involved in the summit, as sponsors, exhibitors, and learning partners. They participated in panels on the future of L&D, workplace well-being, and technology-enabled leadership coaching.
More than ever, coaching is seen as a strategic advantage, not a luxury. Businesses are asking not just why coaching, but how to implement it at scale, ethically and effectively.
The Ethical Horizon: AI, Credentials & Coaching Standards
Rebecca Rutschmann, a leader in the ICF’s AI Task Force, moderated panels on how coaching credentialing bodies are responding to emerging technologies. The takeaway? Ethics and AI literacy must become core competencies for all coaches.
“Ethical AI use starts with coaches themselves.”
At JB Coaches, we welcome this evolution. The trust our clients place in us includes how we handle their information, their growth, and their future.
Key Takeaways from the 2025 NYU Coaching & Technology Summit
- Coaching is stronger than ever, because it’s human at its core.
- AI is here, and with thoughtful use, it can make coaching more accessible and effective.
- Science matters, whether in positive psychology, neurofeedback, or assessment tools.
- Ethics are non-negotiable, especially as data enters the coaching space.
- Cultural fluency is essential, and the future of coaching is diverse, inclusive, and global.
What’s Next for JB Coaches?
This summit didn’t just inspire us, it strengthened our resolve. At JB Coaches, we remain committed to the art and science of coaching. We’ll continue to explore tools that serve our clients, deepen our AI literacy, and elevate coaching as a transformational discipline.
Because no matter how much technology evolves, one truth will always remain: real change begins with a real conversation.
