From Tasks to Agents, and now to Influence: AI and You

AI Is No Longer Just Doing Our Work. It Is Influencing How We Think. What Happens to Human Trainers?

After 26 years of training, I refuse to become obsolete.

If AI can teach, advise, persuade and even make decisions, why should anyone still pay a human trainer?

This is a question I have been asking myself.

For 26 years, I have stood before thousands of participants, sharing knowledge, telling stories, playing songs and helping people learn.

Today, AI can create training materials in seconds, explain complex theories, generate videos and answer questions around the clock.

And AI is moving beyond performing tasks as an agent. It is increasingly influencing what people believe, buy and decide.

I cannot stop this transformation.

But I can decide whether AI makes me less relevant, or more valuable.

1. Stop Competing With AI on Knowledge

If training is merely transferring information, AI will increasingly replace that function.

Why pay someone to explain what AI can explain instantly?

I have therefore shifted my focus from what participants know to what they actually do differently.

Knowing leadership principles is easy.

Having the courage to confront a difficult colleague, challenge your boss or make an unpopular but necessary decision is another matter.

Knowledge is becoming cheaper. Good judgment is becoming more valuable.

2. Make Training an Experience, Not a Lecture

For 26 years, I have followed five practices:

Fun first: I begin by telling participants that enjoying themselves is our first priority.
Application over theory: Learn fewer things, but apply them.
Personalisation: Address participants' real workplace challenges.
Songs, humour and stories: Touch hearts, not just minds.
Reflection: Help people discover their own answers and commit to change.

AI can assist with all five.

But my value lies in bringing people together, facilitating honest conversations and helping them translate insights into action.

I don't want participants merely to remember my training. I want them to remember what they changed because of it.

3. When AI Becomes More Influential, Love Intelligence Becomes More Important

Imagine an AI sales assistant recommending a product that maximises commission, even though it isn't suitable for the customer.

The recommendation may sound convincing. But should we follow it?

This is where my Love Intelligence (LQ) framework becomes relevant.

Care: Whose interests are we really serving?
Courage: Do we dare challenge a convincing recommendation and do what is right?
Connection: Are we building genuine relationships or merely manipulating people?

AI can generate persuasive messages.

But persuasion without responsibility can destroy trust.

The future needs people who can think independently, exercise judgment and influence others ethically.

That is what I want my training to develop.

4. My Next Chapter: From Training People to Transforming Behaviour

I am redesigning my programmes around three outcomes:

Better decisions. Stronger relationships. Measurable behavioural change.

Instead of ending when participants leave the classroom, learning should continue through reflection, practical assignments and follow-up.

I will use AI to improve preparation and productivity, while devoting more attention to the human experience.

My goal is not to compete with AI.

It is to help people become more human in a world increasingly influenced by machines.

My Call to Action

To CEOs, HR leaders and Learning & Development professionals:

Before buying another training programme, ask:

"Are we paying for information our employees can obtain from AI, or are we investing in better judgment, trust and behaviour?"

If you want your managers, salespeople and service teams to become more effective in the AI era, let's explore how Love Intelligence can help.

I welcome conversations about LQ Manager, LQ Influence and Human Judgment in the Age of AI, programmes designed around real organisational challenges.

Don't train your people merely to keep up with AI. Develop them to create value that AI alone cannot deliver.

And to my fellow trainers:

Stop fearing AI taking your job. Start fearing the opportunities you may miss by refusing to change!

After 26 years, I am not preparing to retire from training.

I am preparing to reinvent it.

Andy Ng 吴林朔
CA, MBA
Financial Governance & Strategy Advisor
Author of Love Intelligence (LQ)
Trainer, Author & Coach since 2001

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