How I use AI at Thorp Coaching

Artificial intelligence is increasingly built into many of the tools we use in everyday life and work. It can be useful, but I also recognise that people may have understandable questions or concerns about how it is used—particularly in the context of confidential coaching conversations.

I believe you should be able to understand where I use AI, why I use it and where I deliberately do not.

AI supports some of the practical and creative work around my coaching practice. It does not replace my professional judgement, accountability or the human relationship at the centre of the coaching itself.

How I use AI-enabled tools

I use a range of AI-enabled tools, including ChatGPT, Google Gemini, Canva and video-editing software.

I may use these tools to:

  • Copy-edit material I have written.

  • Structure non-confidential elements of proposals and programme outlines.

  • Develop and refine generic workshop materials.

  • Support research using publicly available information.

  • Help me organise my thinking and communicate it more clearly.

  • Create and refine marketing, design and video content.

  • Support routine administrative tasks.

I use these tools selectively rather than automatically. I review and edit anything produced with their assistance and remain responsible for the final work. I do not treat AI-generated material as automatically accurate, original or appropriate.

I use a paid version of ChatGPT and have disabled the setting that allows my new conversations to be used to improve OpenAI’s models.

Information I do not provide to AI tools

I do not provide these tools with:

  • Confidential coaching conversations.

  • Client notes, recordings or transcripts.

  • Sensitive personal or health information.

  • Confidential organisational or commercial information.

  • Client names, employer details or exact job titles.

  • Distinctive personal or professional circumstances that could identify someone, even if their name were removed.

Where I use examples to help me think or write, I fictionalise, remove or generalise identifying details.

How I do not use AI

I do not use AI to:

  • Deliver coaching to clients.

  • Diagnose or assess a client.

  • Make judgements about someone’s performance, potential, suitability for a role or the coaching support they should receive.

  • Decide what information should be shared with an organisational sponsor.

  • Generate reports from confidential client material.

  • Replace my professional judgement or the relationship between coach and client.

AI may support some of the practical work around coaching. It is not used to tell me how to coach you.

AI transcription and note-taking

I currently use Otter as an optional AI transcription and note-taking tool for some meetings and coaching sessions.

Some clients find having a transcript or summary helpful. It can allow them to remain more present in the conversation rather than trying to listen, think and take detailed notes at the same time. This can be particularly useful for people who prefer to process information after a session.

Other clients may feel uncomfortable with an AI tool recording or processing a coaching conversation. That is equally understandable.

Otter is only used where you have actively opted in. Its use is entirely optional, and choosing not to use it will not affect the coaching you receive.

Even if you have previously opted in, you can ask for Otter to be removed before or at any point during a session. We will simply continue without AI transcription, and I will take my usual brief coaching notes.

Why I am moving away from Otter

Otter is a US-based provider and data may be processed outside the UK.

Its published privacy information states that it may use de-identified audio recordings and transcripts to train and improve its technology. However, the setting that allows conversations from my account to be shared for training and product improvement has always been disabled.

Even with that setting switched off, I have decided that I would prefer to use a provider offering UK or EU data storage and privacy arrangements that are better aligned with the confidential nature of coaching.

This decision is not in response to a data breach or any known problem with client information. It is a proactive, belt-and-braces decision based on the standard I want to maintain as the technology and our understanding of it continue to develop.

I have cancelled my Otter subscription, which will remain active until 21 March 2027.

Until then, clients are very welcome to continue using Otter in their sessions if they find the transcripts or notes useful. Its use will remain entirely optional.

Once I have selected a replacement provider, I will update this statement to explain:

  • Which provider I use.

  • Where recordings and transcripts are stored.

  • Who can access them.

  • How long they are retained.

  • Whether any information is used for model training.

Existing Otter transcripts

If you would like to keep an existing transcript, please download it or ask me for a copy by 28 February 2027.

Providing you with a copy will not mean that I retain my own copy.

Unless we have agreed a specific reason to retain it, I will delete all recordings and transcripts from my Otter account by 20 March 2027.

After that date, I will no longer be able to retrieve them.

Transcripts may contain confidential or personal information. If you choose to keep a copy, please consider where and how you store it.

Human accountability

AI may help with some of the activities surrounding my work, but it does not replace the deep listening, challenge, professional experience, intuition, ethical judgement and human relationship involved in coaching.

Any coaching observations, questions, recommendations, written summaries or organisational reports are considered and approved by me. I remain professionally accountable for the service I provide.

Using AI proportionately

I am conscious that AI is not environmentally neutral. It depends on data centres, computing equipment and energy, and I believe responsible use should consider environmental impact alongside privacy, confidentiality and accuracy.

I therefore do not use AI automatically simply because it is available.

I use it selectively for defined tasks where I believe it adds clear value. I avoid unnecessary or repeated generation where there is no clear purpose, and I continue to use my own judgement or simpler tools where they can do the job equally well.

This is not a claim that my use of AI has no environmental impact. It is a commitment to use it thoughtfully and proportionately and to keep reviewing my approach as the technology develops.

Alignment with professional standards

My approach is informed by the International Coaching Federation’s Code of Ethics and AI Coaching Framework, as well as the EMCC Global Code of Ethics and Digital Ethics Guidelines.

Together, these professional standards emphasise:

  • Transparency about how technology is used.

  • Informed agreement where technology records or processes coaching conversations.

  • Protection of client confidentiality, privacy and security.

  • Responsible storage and disposal of records.

  • Appropriate quality and professional conduct in technology-enabled coaching.

  • Continuing human judgement and accountability.

  • Respect for copyright and intellectual property.

These standards guide how I assess the tools I use and how I review my practice as technology develops.

Questions and choices

You are welcome to ask how AI is being used in relation to your work at any time.

Where a tool would record, transcribe or otherwise process the content of a coaching conversation, you will always be asked to opt in actively. You can also change your mind before or during a session.

This statement will be reviewed and updated as my tools, professional guidance and practice develop.

Last updated: July 2026.