152. Public speaking: AI will not replace authenticity (PSASA)

My recent talk at the Professional Speakers Southern Africa virtual chapter meeting.

I shared my journey from being a nervous teenager, embarrassed by my first public speaking experience, to becoming a professional speaker, earning 90% of my income from it. I emphasised how authenticity is key in connecting with audiences and discussed how AI, especially ChatGPT, can help with generating ideas and improving articulation, but only if we use detailed prompts. AI can’t replace the genuine human voice. Through personal stories, like teaching my son the power of storytelling for his school presentation and reflecting on my own speaking experiences, I highlighted the importance of resilience and staying true to oneself. Ultimately, I encouraged speakers to use AI as a helpful tool, but to always remain authentic.