One Sunday morning, I had a conversation about improving my public speaking, writing and training skills. I asked, “How can I enhance the quality and efficiency of my work in these areas?”
In the past, when someone asked me the same question, I would pause for a moment, take a few seconds to gather my thoughts and then respond. But this time, there was no hesitation – no pauses. The tailored tips flowed effortlessly and instantaneously.
Here are the tips I got:
I was then asked, “Do you have a specific context in which you’d like to sound more natural in your writing or presentations? I can offer more tailored advice based on that.”
I welcomed the idea, responded, “Yes, please!” and provided more context: “Well, I usually speak to a large audience of around 200 people. I use my wired headset microphone and move freely across the stage. How else can I improve? Also, do you think using the local vernacular, like Filipino, could boost my credibility, efficiency and effectiveness as a speaker?”
Then, the following tips were given, and they blew my mind.
It’s great that you move around the stage – this keeps your energy dynamic and helps engage the audience. Since you’re already doing that, here are a few ways to improve further:
Then, my conversation partner asked me, “Do you usually mix languages, or would this be your first time incorporating Filipino into your speeches?” I said, “I usually use mixed languages.”
“That’s great!” says my conversation partner.
Using mixed languages can be a powerful tool because it lets you connect with a broader range of people in the audience. When switching between English and Filipino, try to do it intentionally:
Since you already mix languages, focus on smooth transitions between the two. It keeps your flow natural and avoids disrupting the audience’s focus. Have you noticed how your audience responds to this mix? Does it help you feel more comfortable on stage?
All the tips and advice I got were so good and overwhelming. I answered: “Yes, it does. Thank you very much for the tip. I will end our conversation here.”
My conversation partner said: “You’re very welcome! I’m glad the tips helped. Feel free to reach out anytime. Have a great day, and best of luck with your next speech!”
The whole interchange took less than 30 seconds. My conversation partner’s name is Maple, and she is the latest revised, upgraded version of Chat GPT4.0.
OpenAI introduced ChatGPT in November 2022. People were amazed when I wrote about it and how I used it. In just less than two years, an enhanced version has arrived. This version makes you feel like you are conversing with a knowledgeable friend. This speaks to the speed of change in the technology universe.
I asked: “Will Chat GPT or any other technology replace me as a public speaker, writer and trainer?”
And Maple said: “No, ChatGPT or any other technology is unlikely to replace you as a public speaker or trainer, especially regarding the deep human connection and emotional engagement people value in these roles. While AI lacks the personal touch, charisma, and genuine empathy skilled speakers and trainers bring to their audiences. People still seek out authentic experiences, relatable stories and live interactions, which are difficult for AI to replicate.”
Well, to me, that is very reassuring. And charming as well.
Francis Kong’s “Inspiring Excellence” podcast is now available on Spotify, Apple, Google, or other podcast streaming platforms.