People Are Using AI for Therapy – Why Not for Career Coaching?

By Helena Turpin

CEO and Co-Founder of GoFIGR

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What if the same AI that listens could also help you grow?

Let’s be honest: people are already using AI for everything now.

From writing, planning and even emotional venting, these AI tools have become modern companions for millions. What started as a productivity experiment has turned into a quiet form of support.

That might sound strange, but it’s true. 

One of the fastest-growing uses of AI in 2025 isn’t coding or creative writing. 

It’s AI therapy and AI friendship! People are asking chatbots for comfort, reassurance and guidance.

The realisation? If we’re already trusting AI with our emotions, why not use it to support our career growth too?

That thought of using AI for career coaching both excites and worries me. 

Because it says a lot about what people are feeling they are missing at work: a safe, private space to talk about where they’re headed.

However, it’s exciting because AI can fill that gap too.

It made me wonder: if AI can give people a voice in moments of vulnerability, could it also empower them to speak up about their ambitions?

Why are we so afraid to have honest career conversations?

In every organisation, there are things we want to say but can’t. 

We censor ourselves to protect relationships, reputations or opportunities. Managers can’t always speak freely with their teams. Employees can’t always admit they’re stuck or frustrated.

They call this “job hugging” – where people are too afraid to say anything, so they just stay silent. 

I’ve seen this pattern countless times in the HR AI tech industry. People avoid difficult conversations not because they don’t care but because they fear the consequences. 

But that silence is costly.

The moment that hits home is when you realise that silence breeds stagnation.

That’s why the idea of using AI for career coaching makes sense. 

Imagine an always-available, non-judgemental career coach that understands your workplace, your goals and your challenges. It doesn’t replace human leaders; it provides them with the support to lead more effectively.

Here’s how AI can bridge the communication gap:

• Give employees a safe space to talk openly without fear of judgement
• Help managers prepare for tough discussions with empathy and clarity
• Encourage self-awareness and accountability before problems grow
• Spot early signs of disengagement or burnout before it’s too late

When people feel safe to speak up, real progress begins. Conversations that were once avoided become opportunities to grow. That’s the first step toward changing how we work and lead.

Could AI really be a better career coach than a manager?

I get asked a lot: “Isn’t that risky?” Not if you design an AI career coach responsibly.

If you have an ‘off-the-shelf’ AI platform, then yes. Firstly, it could be sharing sensitive information and secondly, it doesn’t have enough context about your career or circumstances to be reliable.

But what if there was an AI platform that was secure and did have context? That’s what I set about building – and it’s in GoFIGR.

Unlike generic chatbots, GoFIGR’s inbuilt AI career coach is part of its internal talent marketplace, connecting career conversations with real mobility data and internal growth paths. It understands the context of your workplace, your role, your internal structure and your culture. It’s secure, private and trained to keep career conversations constructive and ethical.

People can then safely ask questions they’d never say aloud. 

• “Am I underperforming?” 
• “Should I apply for that internal role?” 
• “Why do I feel stuck?”
• “Can I talk to my manager about this?” 

Those questions matter. These questions unlock growth.

Here’s the surprising truth: career coaching isn’t just for executives anymore.

For years, companies spent thousands on one-on-one executive coaching for leaders but offered little for everyone else. AI now makes it possible for all employees to have that same level of reflective support – privately, instantly and affordably.

Here’s what Corporate AI coaching looks like in practice:

• 24/7 access to an intelligent coach that listens and learns
• Confidential, judgement-free feedback on real career scenarios
• Built-in prompts to help you reflect, plan and take action
• Instant preparation tools for reviews, meetings and check-ins

When career coaching becomes accessible to everyone, it breaks the myth that career growth is a privilege. It becomes a habit – one that shapes stronger individuals and better-performing teams.

What happens when AI stops fixing and starts empowering?

Therapy and coaching can work hand-in-hand.

• Therapy helps people process emotions. 
• Coaching helps people move forward. 

Both need trust, safety and empathy. While AI doesn’t replace a human therapist or human coach, for some businesses, this is an affordable alternative solution. 

When I first started exploring this idea, I thought about the workers who feel unseen. 

• The employees who want to learn but fear they’ll outgrow their current role. 
• The managers who want to give better feedback but don’t know how. 

Everyone benefits from a space to ask questions and reflect on the answers.

The powerful shift happens when AI becomes a mirror, not a mask.

It’s not there to flatter or fix you. It’s there to help you think, prepare and take ownership of your development. By asking the right questions and providing context-specific advice, an AI career coach becomes a practical ally for both employees and leaders.

And when people start taking that ownership, confidence grows. 

They don’t wait for permission to develop; they start leading their own change. That’s what empowerment looks like in the modern workplace.

What if every employee had a coach in their pocket?

When a leader uses an AI coach, they can reflect on how they communicate, spot blind spots in team dynamics and prepare for difficult conversations. It’s like having a quiet mentor that listens, analyses and suggests better ways to connect.

And for employees, it’s a way to ask those awkward career questions without fear of judgement. They can explore growth opportunities, practise for performance reviews or seek feedback safely.

The breakthrough comes when people start taking proactive ownership of their growth.

When that happens, the organisation benefits too: 

• Engagement rises. 
• Retention improves. 
• Conversations become more open. 

Suddenly, coaching isn’t an executive perk – it’s part of everyday culture.

Here’s what happens when AI coaching becomes part of your culture:

• Managers lead with confidence and empathy
• Employees take initiative and seek feedback
• Conversations shift from reactive to proactive
• Growth becomes a shared responsibility

When coaching becomes cultural, it builds momentum. People stop waiting for HR to fix problems because they’re already building better relationships themselves. 

By uniting employee ambitions and business goals, AI coaching helps teams grow with(in) the business, not apart from it.

Can AI be responsible, ethical and still human?

I know some people worry about privacy. 

That’s why GoFIGR’s AI coach is fully insulated within each organisation. Conversations never leave the company’s secure environment.

They’re confidential and context-aware, built around people analytics that help leaders make better workforce decisions.

This approach transforms the way businesses and employees grow together. It gives staff a safe way to learn, reflect and navigate their careers while giving leaders insight into the broader health of their teams – without breaching trust.

The moment you combine privacy, empathy and insight, AI becomes a catalyst for real progress.

At its best, AI doesn’t replace the human connection. It enhances it. By blending data, empathy and smart design, it turns everyday conversations into meaningful change.

The future of career coaching isn’t coming – it’s already here!

In a world where loneliness and burnout are rising, giving people someone to talk to – even if that someone is digital – can make a huge difference.

AI as a career coach isn’t about replacing human mentors. It’s about giving everyone, at every level, access to the kind of guidance that was once exclusive.

At GoFIGR, we believe the future of work is about connection, growth and empowerment. That starts by giving people the space to ask better questions, feel heard and take action on their goals.

Because the truth is simple: everyone deserves a coach. And now, everyone can have one.

Contact GoFIGR today and see how we can help you lead workforce transformation with confidence.

[Book a GoFIGR demo]

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