The Human Touch in an AI-Driven World: Why Trust and Authenticity Matter at ion

“Ain’t nothin’ like the real thing,” they (used to) say. But, how many of us still believe this when artificial intelligence is so appealing? Among many recent advancements in technology, AI has emerged as a powerful and transformative force that has been both celebrated and feared. Recently, we had to confront the grey area between authorship and authenticity when ion’s founders, Christina Asbaty and Shavon Lindley, were pressured to integrate AI into our video content to save time and money. This crucible moment put our ethos in the fire and sparked an extensive conversation about our core values and the principles we want to uphold. While not an ethical issue, it interrogated our integrity. The key question was, “How do we innovate and stay ahead without dishonoring how we got here and who we are?” It became clear that using AI to generate or enhance our learning videos would compromise the very essence of what we stand for: trust, connection, and authenticity. 

At ion, trust is not just a word, it's the foundation of everything we do. Derived from the Gaelic root word for "trust," our company's name was chosen with intention. Our name encapsulates our core values and beliefs. As we navigate the ever-evolving landscape of educational technology, trust remains our north star.  

We believe that for learners to truly benefit from our content, they need to trust the individuals delivering it. This trust is built on the credibility of our mentors and leaders who speak directly to our learners through video testimonials. When you watch an ion video, you see and hear a real person with real experiences, emotions, and insights. This human element is irreplaceable. 

Authenticity in our videos also means that, occasionally, you might notice an instructor who appears nervous, has a sore throat, or a scratchy voice. These imperfections are not flaws to be corrected--they are integral parts of the raw human experience. They remind us that our instructors are real people, not actors, who share their knowledge and expertise with sincerity and passion. 

Although we recognize the incredible potential of AI in many applications and choose not to use it in some circumstances, our stance is not against AI; rather, we support its informed and purposeful adoption.  

At ion, we embrace both tradition and innovation, security and disruption, and building and dismantling, understanding that the best solutions often come from the synergy of these elements. 

In a world increasingly driven by technology, we choose to celebrate and preserve the human element in learning. Because at ion, we build trust through human interaction and genuine connection. 

Photo by Igor Omilaev on Unsplash