The three most common questions I was asked last year were:

1. Will AI replace storytelling?
2. How do you use AI for storytelling?
3. How do you look so amazing?

OK, that third one is complete crap so let’s focus on the first two.

1. Will AI replace storytelling?

It’s my belief that the ever-increasing presence of AI in our world, makes storytelling even more crucial for business.

Stories have always been central to human connection. They shape cultures, values, and beliefs. Stories were pivotal in our communities from thousands of years ago and are equally so in business today.

You cannot implement culture change or ‘roll out’ values without leaders being able to effectively tell stories… and that means the right stories.

As AI grows in sophistication, it is showing the ability to mimic human interaction. This means that the stories it creates are good (I have been testing it out) but they seem to be missing something. There is always something that just doesn’t seem right.

Sometimes it is easy to spot the bullsh!t… just like my apparent third most common question. Sometimes it is harder to identify.

This leads me to question 2.

2. How do you use AI for storytelling?

Use AI as a thought generator ONLY!!!! The capital letters and four exclamation marks are there to emphasise a very, very important point.

When I run storytelling workshops and people can’t think of a story, I take them through a process. I start by asking them a few questions and then I share my own stories that I would use if I had to communicate that message. Every single time this helps them think of their own stories.

This is because Stories Spark Stories.

It is crucial that you never use AI to generate a story which you share as your own experience. Your stories must be authentic, which means they need to be true and congruent with what you believe.

As AI becomes more prevalent in our lives, people will crave authentic human connections. And that is why storytelling is more critical than ever before.

P.S.

I have been teaching people in business about sharing authentic and effective stories for the last 20 years. If this is something you want to implement in your organisation in 2025, let’s set up a time to discuss my training.