Is public speaking training even necessary anymore?
“You know what I’ve been hearing a lot lately?” Eleni, now that AI can help people write presentations, is public speaking training even necessary anymore? My short answer? Absolutely.
AI Can Give You Words—But Not Presence
AI is brilliant at spitting out words. But words alone don’t win hearts, spark action, or make someone leave thinking, “That talk changed me.”
That kind of impact comes from presence—from you showing up genuine, grounded, and human.
Your voice. Your quirks. Your energy. Your humanity. Or, as I like to say, your yumminess.
Training Isn’t About Perfection—It’s About Connection
Public speaking training doesn’t turn you into a “perfect” robot. It helps you bring more of yourself to the stage: confident, real, and able to connect with your audience in the moment.
Sure, AI can help you brainstorm or draft a talk. But AI can’t:
- Look someone in the eye
- Make them feel seen
- Share a story that cracks with emotion
That’s where training still matters—maybe now more than ever.
Why Human Connection Matters More Than Ever
In an age of automation, human connection stands out.
An authentic story.
A smile that makes the audience lean in.
A voice that stirs emotion.
These moments can’t be programmed. They’re practiced, nurtured, and strengthened through intentional training.
The Power of Group Training
Here’s something else AI can’t replicate: the energy and transformation of live group training.
As a young actor in New York and Hollywood, I learned the value of safe spaces to try, fail, and grow. The feedback from teachers and peers was priceless. Just as important? Watching classmates wrestle with their own breakthroughs and setbacks.
When you train in groups:
- You get real-time feedback and encouragement.
- You try things you wouldn’t dare attempt alone.
- You learn as much from watching others as from doing it yourself.
There’s magic in standing up in front of peers, knees shaking, and realizing not only can you do it—you can thrive.
That kind of embodied learning sticks. AI can’t give you that. A screen can’t give you that. Only real human training can.
My Take
So, is public speaking training still needed in the AI age?
It’s not optional. It’s essential.
Because the world doesn’t just need more words.
It needs you.
What Do You Think?
Do you believe AI has made public speaking training less relevant—or more important than ever?
👉 If you want to experience the power of live group training, join me for a 2-Day Deep Dive Presentation Skills Workshop on October 25–26, 2025. Click here to learn more.
Or, if you’d like to bring customized, in-house training in Presentation Skills, Storytelling, or Communication Skills to your team, click here.
📘 P.S. Buy Eleni’s book, Charismatic Presence: Five Principles for Magnetic Presentations
Follow me on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/elenikelakos/
Eleni Kelakos, CSP The Speaker Whisperer®