10 Trends of digitalisation in personal development by 2025

Many find themselves torn between their disapproval of today's technological realities and the undeniable benefits they bring to our daily lives. In this "new normal," where children as young as 2 can navigate tablets more proficiently than their parents, and where connection and community are often sought through social media and online platforms for dating, chatting, and group exercises, it begs the question:

Where do you stand in your own relationship with digitization and human connection?

In the realms of psychology, personal development, and coaching, we also witness these trends of automation and digital cost-cutting. Furthermore, those of us who openly oppose the use of generative AI or ChatGPT in supporting people's mental health are frequently deemed "old-school" or labeled as "unadaptable." But what harm is there in having a chatbot available 24/7, asking open-ended questions like, "How does that make you feel?" while you are cosy in the comfort of your own home?

Are we trying to avoid human interaction and instead hide behind technological walls, or are we genuinely focused on the benefits of accessibility and breaking down physical boundaries?

Collectively, there seems to be no simple answer to these questions. In the meantime, some are riding the wave of technological progress. Countless conferences, webinars, and talks about the future of work, education, AI, and art all convey an almost simplistic but very powerful common message: "There is no turning back to the past."

Major institutions like Goldman Sachs predict that AI could potentially replace 300 million full-time jobs and a quarter of work tasks in the US and Europe. This transformation also implies the creation of new positions of course. While professions like Tech and Media (including coding and content creation), Legal (paralegals and assistants), and Finance may be at risk, psychologists, therapists, and performance coaches do not seem to top the "most at risk" lists.. at least not yet. Nevertheless, you can now join waiting lists for AI-powered apps such as "Insightful," promising "deeper insights into your career, relationships, or any other aspect of life." or Replika with more than 17K downloads which provides friendship.

Over the past five years, ILC International has vigilantly monitored digital developments in our field of work. Initially, websites and applications needed significant improvement, but the pursuit of anonymity, automation, accessibility, and cost reduction drove people to create increasingly improved solutions. As a result, in the last two years, there has been an explosion in this space. Millions of users subscribe to platforms where they can create avatars and choose whether to interact with a "friend," a "boyfriend/girlfriend," or a "specialist." They have the freedom to customize notifications and subscription plans. They control the level of interaction in every aspect. In other words, the trajectory is clear:

The world is changing, and so are the ways we assist people in overcoming emotional and psychological challenges, goal attainemnet and much more...

What can we anticipate by 2025?

1. Exponential growth in digital solutions offering anonymity and easy access to an OK repertoire of open-ended questions or off-the-shelf ready-solutions.
2. Global access to coaches and therapists increasingly working online.
3. Lower prices for these services due to accessibility and competition among (currently incomparable) economies.
4. Exponential growth in VR solutions enabling integration of different personas we embody — at work, online, and beyond.
5. Innovative yet potentially confusing softwares that are rolled out very quickly before the right level of testing is done.
6. Significant time spent experimenting with new platforms and/or apps without specialist guidance.
7. Potential emotional and mental side effects due to inappropriate solutions applied to individual cases.
8. More people working remotely, creating a need for effective connections through avatars, augmented or VR.
9. Adoption of various digitalised personality testing, gamified psychomitric solutions, automated interview processes, AI and ML supported employee management programmes.
10. Psychologists and coaches needing to develop technological skills and understand how to leverage the trends

How can you best prepare for what lies ahead in your life and career? While it's tempting to believe we'll figure it out as we go along, reaching out to real professionals in various fields who can support your use of technology is a crucial step. Use technology as a supplement and a boost rather than the core, at least in the foreseeable future.

Lastly, exercise critical judgment at all times. Verify facts, methodologies, founders, and qualifications behind specific software. Focus on the positive aspects of technology and leverage them to your advantage. Fear not - you remain in control of your choices.

Psychological suport in various forms is expanding like never before.

“We’ve been stuck for too long in this narrow idea that the only way we can have a positive impact on people is through one-on-one psychological interventions,” said Kenneth Dodge, PhD, a professor of psychology and public policy at Duke University

“We’ve hit the ceiling in terms of what high-intensity, individual-level interventions can accomplish, If we want to reduce the burden of mental illness for individuals and for society, the status quo is not going to cut it.” - Jessica Schleider, PhD, a clinical psychologist and assistant professor at Stony Brook University.

Quotes source: 2023 Trends Report by the Americal Psychological Association "Psychologists are rebranding the field, expanding the one-to-one therapy approach"

The above were our original thougts.
Below, however, you will find the 10 trends that ChatGPT generated. How do you feel about this comparison?

"Here are ten anticipated trends in digitalization for personal development and mental health by 2025:

1. AI-Powered Coaching: Increased use of AI-driven coaching apps and platforms that provide personalized guidance and support for individuals' mental well-being.
2. Teletherapy Expansion: A continued growth in online therapy and telehealth services, making mental health support more accessible and convenient.
3. Virtual Reality Therapy: The adoption of virtual reality (VR) therapy as a complementary tool for treating various mental health conditions, offering immersive and effective interventions.
4. Data-Driven Insights: Utilizing advanced data analytics and machine learning to gain deeper insights into individuals' mental health, allowing for more personalized interventions.
5. Mental Health Wearables: The development of wearable devices capable of monitoring and providing real-time feedback on mental health indicators like stress levels and emotional states.
6. Digital Peer Support Networks: Expansion of online peer support communities and social networks dedicated to mental health, fostering a sense of connection and understanding.
7. Emotional AI Assistants: The integration of emotionally intelligent AI assistants designed to provide empathetic responses and assist with emotional regulation.
8. Online Mindfulness and Meditation: Widespread availability of digital mindfulness and meditation apps to help users manage stress, anxiety, and improve overall mental well-being.
9. Gamification of Mental Health: The gamification of mental health interventions and therapy to engage users and make the therapeutic process more enjoyable.
10. Global Access to Experts: Increased access to mental health professionals and experts from around the world through virtual consultations and online platforms, bridging geographical gaps in care.

These trends signify a promising future for digitalization in personal development and mental health, offering innovative solutions to improve mental well-being and enhance the quality of life for individuals globally."

We hope to hear your thoughts as a comment!
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Keep you head up!
The ILC International Team