At the recent XP2024 conference in Bolzano, Italy, Yuliia Pieskova, COO and co-founder of AI startup Alpha Affinity, delivered a thought-provoking session titled „Agile Coach v.2, Powered by AI.“ Yuliia’s deep knowledge and passion for her subject shone through, leaving a lasting impression on all attendees.

In her session, Yuliia addressed the evolving landscape of agile coaching and the disruptive potential of AI in this domain. She highlighted how AI tools can support the role of Agile Coaches by offering unprecedented opportunities. The core of her presentation was predicting what an AI-powered Agile Coach would look like in the near future and assessing whether this synergy could drive the business value of the role to new heights.

Yuliia began by exploring the unique capabilities that AI tools bring to Agile Coaching. These capabilities include improving change management implementation, refining negotiation strategies, and providing personalized guidance on everyday situations. By leveraging AI, Agile Coaches can identify the most promising areas and avoid missing out on the significant benefits these technologies offer.

As a co-founder of a data startup, Yuliia emphasized the importance of understanding how AI technologies work and their limitations. She pointed out that without a deep understanding of these aspects, it is easy to fall into potential pitfalls. Therefore, her session also delved into what Agile Coaches need to know about AI, alongside the essential skills they need to develop to navigate this new landscape effectively.

Yuliia’s background in teaching and her extensive experience in leading and scaling distributed international teams added a rich layer of practical insights to her presentation.

During her session, Yuliia encouraged her audience of Agile Coaches to explore how generative AI can support their daily work. Using real-life examples, she demonstrated how collaboration with an AI companion could reduce the workload without compromising quality. This approach made it easier for the audience to imagine the practical applications of AI in their coaching practices.

However, Yuliia was also careful to highlight potential traps and pitfalls associated with AI. She stressed the importance of not relying solely on AI without verifying sources and understanding the context. This balanced perspective ensured that attendees were well-prepared to leverage AI effectively while being mindful of its limitations.

After her insightful talk, Yuliia engaged with the audience in a Q&A session, displaying her knowledgeable and approachable demeanor. Her responses to the questions were both kind and informative, further cementing her reputation as a leading expert in the field.

Many attendees, including myself, were eagerly looking forward to her practical workshop following the talk. The workshop provided a hands-on experience with well-prepared examples of how AI could assist in everyday challenges faced by Agile Coaches. This session was invaluable, offering practical knowledge and reinforcing the theoretical concepts discussed earlier.

Yuliia Pieskova’s session and workshop at XP2024 was a highlight of the conference, showcasing her expertise and forward-thinking approach to Agile Coaching powered by AI. Her insights and practical examples provided a clear roadmap for Agile Coaches looking to embrace AI and enhance their coaching practices.