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Why AI will never replace the human traits that make for effective mentoring

December 27, 2024

In a world that is becoming progressively digitalised, it is important to have a clear understanding on how industries can work collaboratively with the likes of AI to ensure they are not left behind.

Gaining this understanding early will help avoid scaremongering and allow businesses to use the development of technology in their favour as opposed to it being a threat.

Although I appreciate digitalisation is inevitable, I have learnt it is a fine line between using technology to enhance roles and allowing it to destroy important human needs. I have previously discussed my uptake of a ‘dumbphone’, after gaining awareness on how the reliance of digitalisation can be blinding of many crucial elements such as empathy and acknowledgement, only to be replaced with the urge to compare and brag. Now I have boundaries in place for where and when I allow life to be digitalised, I have a clearer understanding of how it is appropriate to use technology in the industry and when it can even be harmful.

AI can be used productively in mentoring, aiding humans to make the process more efficient. It is incredibly effective at sorting through vast amounts of information at an incomprehensible rate, which can be useful for matching appropriate mentoring partners, distinguishing those with similar interests and compatible ways of working. Additionally, AI can be used to construct tailored learning paths, based on a range of inputs, it can decipher the appropriate steps, learning styles and relevant resources for each mentee. This can be a useful guide that a human mentor can adjust accordingly and help apply, but shouldn’t be relied upon.

Although AI is a helpful tool, that provides many positives when integrated correctly, it is important to be aware of its limits and not use it as a shortcut over human-to-human mentoring. AI can only produce an output using pre-existing information. Unlike the human mind, it is unable to form new answers for problems that require unique information. The answers AI currently produce must already exist, which restricts the how tailored the answers provided can be. Whilst many circumstances faced in mentoring aren’t likely to be a singular experience, AI doesn’t consider how individual thoughts and feelings have implications on appropriate methods for different individuals, massively reducing the effect of what mentoring can offer.

Humans aren’t just necessary for implementing the learning path but also for their continued support and monitoring. Having a human mentor overseeing the process ensures for through observation. Whilst AI can only use information provided to generate feedback, humans can read between the lines and interpret results through other senses such as one’s mannerisms and overall demeaner.

The traits that are associated with human interaction remain indispensable to the role of mentoring as their value cannot be replicated with AI. Empathy and other elements of emotional intelligence are a large component of effective mentoring. The relationship that is built between mentor and mentee is of infinite value, establishing the foundation for how successful mentoring can be. A level of mutual respect and trust is necessary, along with mentors often acting as a sort of role model for what the mentee can aspire to be. It isn’t possible to form this bond with a ‘fake’ being – and if it is, it isn’t healthy.

In conclusion AI is to be used for assistance, enhancing the mentoring experience, not as a replacement for human interaction and the traits that are associated with such. AI is solely logical whereas human scenarios often require a combination of logic and empathy.

It is important to acknowledge, that the development of technology is unknown, and it can only be assumed. It is likely that one day the capabilities of AI will imitate human traits much more convincingly. However, the bonds required between mentor and mentee for successful mentorship can only be achieved sufficiently with human-to-human mentoring rather than human to machine.