A systematic literature review of artificial intelligence (AI) in coaching: insights for future research and product development

Passmore, J. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0832-7510, Olafsson, B. and Tee, D. (2025) A systematic literature review of artificial intelligence (AI) in coaching: insights for future research and product development. Journal of Work-Applied Management. ISSN 2205-149X doi: 10.1108/JWAM-11-2024-0164

Abstract/Summary

Purpose Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to dramatically change the human approaches to work, and specifically to learning and development. While AI coaching can reduce costs and increase accessibility, it also presents both opportunities and threats to human coaches. The objective of this study was to conduct a systematic literature review of peer-reviewed research on the use of AI in coaching. Design A SLR method was used to search eight databases for articles produced up to March 2024. Data extraction was conducted, with Quality Assessment undertaken independently, in parallel, using two researchers and a third arbiter. The ROBINS-I tool was used to assess risk of bias in the included studies. A narrative synthesis of a total of 16 quantitative, qualitative or mixed-methods studies covering n = 2312. Findings The SLR identified four key themes: Research design and AI integration, AI usefulness in coaching, impact of AI coaching, and ethical considerations. The findings suggest that AI coaches can be effective, accepted, useful and match human coaches in competence for specific tasks. Practical Implications AI coaching is a growing area of practice and research. This paper brings together the literature and identifies future research priorities and potential next steps in AI Coach development. Originality The paper uses clinical research SLR methods applying these robust processes to the field of organisational research, to set a new standard through the use of a pre-determined research protocol, quality assessment and ROB, well providing a comprehensive literature review of AI coaching.

Item Type	Article
URI	https://centaur.reading.ac.uk/id/eprint/121616
Identification Number/DOI	10.1108/JWAM-11-2024-0164
Refereed	Yes
Divisions	Henley Business School > Leadership, Organisations, Behaviour and Reputation
Publisher	Emerald
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