DBS is turning to generative artificial intelligence ( Gen AI ) to democratize coaching for its workforce. It has launched iCoach, a Gen AI-powered platform developed in collaboration with Marshall Goldsmith, one of the world’s top executive coaches.

The initiative will enable staff to receive expert advice on career development as well as topical issues such as work-life balance, personal and small team leadership, or mental wellness, the bank says.

Coaching, usually reserved for top executives or high-potential talent, should benefit employees at all levels, DBS believes.  However, the main challenge has always been scaling coaching in an efficient and cost-effective manner – coaching is usually done on a one-to-one basis and can be costly. With iCoach, employees across the bank's network can avail themselves of the benefits of coaching.

The platform is available 24/7, providing employees with just-in-time personalized career guidance. It is tailored to each employee, drawing on the context of the bank’s roles, functions and internal mobility pathways to deliver relevant and actionable career advice.

Data from the International Coaching Federation and Better Up Career Coaching showed that 70% of people in organizations who underwent coaching benefited from improved work performance, relationships, and more effective communication skills. About 80% of people who received coaching reported increased self-confidence.

The knowledge base of iCoach was developed in partnership with Marshall Goldsmith, a leading coaching expert with over four decades of experience working with top CEOs and executives, including those from Fortune 500 companies.

According to the bank, iCoach complements other DBS initiatives, including:

• iGrow, a platform powered by AI and machine learning that offers personalized career advice by matching employees to tailored learning and job opportunities based on their career and training history; 
• DBS Mentoring Programme, which connects employees with leaders and peers, enabling them to gain practical guidance, career insights, and support at critical points in their professional growth;
• DBS Learning Hub, which provides employees with more than 10,000 curated courses, to learn and pick up new skills; and
• Be My Guest Programme, which enables employees to participate in job shadowing, workshops, and projects across departments. Last year, over 4,000 such opportunities were taken up by employees.