Career conversations have always been very human. They rely on trust, judgement and understanding what matters to the other person.
As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes more embedded in everyday work, a new question is emerging for us: what happens to career conversations when technology becomes more intelligent?
At our recent virtual roundtable, “From check-ins to growth: Empowering people leaders to elevate careers”, participants were very clear on one thing – AI will change career conversations, but it will not replace them.
Many managers and leaders today feel overwhelmed by the complexity of career journeys. They’re expected to guide people through shifting roles, emerging skills and non-linear pathways – and often without any visibility themselves of what opportunities exist beyond their immediate team.
We have found that this lack of insight is one of the largest barriers to meaningful career conversations.
And this is where AI comes into its own.
Senior HR and talent leaders have talked to us about the growing role of AI coaching agents, copilots and skill-matching technology. These tools help make visible, rather than replace, the skills people have; highlight new internal opportunities they could move into. And in doing so, they reduce the “heavy lifting” managers often carry alone.
When used well, AI creates career clarity and gives managers and employees a shared starting point. It shifts the career conversations away from guesswork and towards possibility for liberating potential.
This is very different from career automation. Whilst AI can show options and map skills, it cannot interpret ambition and replace listening, empathy, judgement and psychological safety. These are precious moments where people test ideas, voice uncertainty and explore what they actually want.
The real risk isn’t using AI; it’s mistaking efficiency for connection.
Forward-thinking organisations we work with are using AI to help support human conversations, not replace them. They’re building career ecosystems where technology provides insight and frameworks – and guides reflection and practice conversations. So that, when career conversations happen, employees have real clarity about what they have to offer and the opportunities they could develop. Resources like our Career Inspirer help managers turn insights into thoughtful, human career conversations – using clarity and confidence to guide discussion without having all the answers.
So, the question is: are you using technology to replace career conversations – or make them better?
To find out how to strengthen career conversations in an AI-enabled workplace, please contact: jon.matthews@careerinnovation.com
