'If you just want a machine to write all of this stuff and put your name on it and say it's yours, I don't know what the motivation is. I don't know what results you think it could bring.'

What does it look like to use AI in creative activities practically, ethically, and in a human-centred way? One answer to that question might be Cliobooks.ai, the speak-your-book technology developed by publishing entrepreneur and business coach Georgia Kirke. 

Starting and ending with humans, and rejecting the quick fix of AI-generated content, this is an attempt to develop workflows that make authorship more accessible and less soul-sucking. But there's no short cuts to the human expertise behind each book (sorry), both on the part of the author and the publishing team around them.  

This is a fascinating exploration of how AI can be used for good, the difference between timeless principles and evolving workflows, and the wisdom of understanding the difference between them. 

‘It’s not a presentation or a business card. It’s a conversation.’

This Best Bits episode is a love letter to intentional conversations – the ones that unlock insight, build cohesion, shape identity and, ultimately, bring books into the world. As I looked back over the last few episodes, what stood out was how often my guests spoke about dialogue in all its forms – with ourselves, with each other,and with our readers – as the real work of writing, leading and changing the world.

Hear from:

• Sarah Rozenthuler on the life-changing magic of energising, intentional dialogue;

• Claire Pedrick on the space between words and the attentiveness behind great coaching – and writing;

• Wendy Smith on paradox as a creative lens for thinking, leading, and writing;

• John Dore on the 'glue' that binds people together around ideas;

• Marissa Eigenbrood on publicity as a bridge into new conversations with new audiences;

• Petra Molthan-Hill on making complex ideas accessible and immediately useful;

• David Oxley and Helmut Schuster on creating a character to talk to an audience that's had enough of being talked at;

• Alison Jones (hello!) on how AI forces us to be more intentional than ever about the conversations we’re having – and who we’re having them with – as authors, publishers, and humans.

If you’re writing a business book, or even just thinking about it, this episode is packed with insights to get you talking.