Ziqamo: A Pilot Study of a Cognitive Behavioural AI Coaching Chatbot to Enhance Resilience

Abstract

Artificial intelligence (AI) coaching offers scalable, on-demand support for professional development, yet research on its relational and process-oriented dimensions remains limited. This pilot study explored the design of a Cognitive Behavioural Coaching (CBC) AI chatbot aimed at enhancing resilience, drawing on expert feedback to assess theoretical and practical alignment. Using unstructured questionnaires and thematic analysis, findings indicate the chatbot effectively facilitated structured reflection, goal-setting and guided discovery, creating a safe and accessible reflective space. Limitations were noted in supporting deep cognitive-emotional work and relational nuance. The study highlights AI coaching's potential as a complementary tool and informs future design and research directions.

Keywords

AI coaching cognitive behavioural coaching resilience development chatbot design human–AI coaching comparison

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