Just over a year ago, the world was introduced to ChatGPT, sparking excitement around terms like ‘Generative AI’ or ‘Large Language Models’. This groundbreaking technology is not just a buzzword but a breakthrough that is reshaping industries in profound ways.
In an inspiring conversation, I had a chance to interview Dr. Stephan Ruppert, who has successfully integrated this innovative technology into the fabric of his work as an Intercultural Communication trainer and lecturer. But his efforts extend beyond this, Dr. Ruppert is on a mission to empower his peers in the field, teaching them how to harness the potential of AI tools such as ChatGPT and Midjourney in their professional lives, under the brand of Linking Cultures.
Q: What are the main benefits for Intercultural Communication trainers when engaging with AI tools like ChatGPT?
It can help provide engaging training material, both with texts and images. With ChatGPT, personalization of training material such as, case studies, simulations or dialogues, is more efficient and creative.
Also, AI makes knowledge more accessible. For example, we all have countless scientific papers we will not read because of little time available. ChatGPT can summarize these for you.
Q: What are three easy ways to start using AI in this field?
First, I think that using ChatGPT for brainstorming is a great way to start and get inspired. You can get different perspectives on specific topics, build different hypotheses, challenge your views or get alternative views by simply asking for it.
Secondly, using it to summarize lengthy texts, or long videos can save you a lot of time.
And finally, finding metaphors or analogies that resonate with your specific target group in your training is much easier with ChatGPT, as well as re-writing text from different cultural perspectives. This contributes to a higher degree of personalization in your training and does not require long and complex prompts.
Q: For those already familiar with AI, how can they enhance their skills further?
For those who are already familiar with ChatGPT and have mastered the basics of prompting, I think that writing complete case studies and dialogues can be the next step. Also, building custom bots like ChatGPT with your knowledge and literature is a possibility. Or, starting with AI generated images with tools such as Midjourney. Finally, it is also worth mentioning exploring Virtual Reality and AI-enhanced Simulations for Cultural Training as well.
Q: How long does it take to get good at using ChatGPT for intercultural Communication?
In general, I would say if you attend a half day or a full day training and then spend another half day on experimenting, trying things out, you can already do a lot of fantastic things. So, you don’t have to become a prompt engineer or study this for months. One day intense training enables you to do a lot of things. On the other hand, building complete case studies from scratch requires some knowledge and time because there you really need to engineer your prompt. So here I would say, you need to invest at least two days in training.
Q: Are there any other AI tools that you would recommend besides ChatGPT and Midjourney?
Well, I use ElevenLabs a lot. It is the high standard for text to speech technology. I also use the dubbing feature to translate my voice into different languages or to adapt my pronunciation. Then, you can use Semantic Scholar, Perplexity, Consensus, these are fantastic AI search engines also for scientific literature. And for transcribing your training for example, I would use everything which is built around Whisper from OpenAI.
Q: Are there any situations or scenarios where you would advise against using AI when preparing trainings?
Yes! I would only use it with subjects I’m familiar with, that I’m an expert in. So, for example, I would not do training for Nigeria using AI because I have no knowledge about Nigeria. Of course, I could design a training and get all the information with ChatGPT, but I would not do it because I’m not an expert on Nigeria and I could not judge the AI generated content about it. I would not realize if there were a mistake or a stupid stereotype for example.
Q: What are some of the limitations or ethical concerns that arise when using AI in this field?
Biases and stereotypes are not only replicated but even amplified in texts or images generated with AI. It is easier to see these especially when using AI tools for image generation. This is also because AI training data are dominated by a “WEIRD view” (Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich and Democratic). So, the answers will also be given from a WEIRD perspective. Same for the literature about Interculturalism that most of the AI tools know, it is also dominated by western authors. With SIETAR Germany, we think about how to make non-WEIRD views accessible via AI.
Finally, I think AI might struggle to grasp the nuances and contextual cues inherent in human communication, especially across different cultures resulting in a loss of context.
Q: What exciting future uses of AI do you foresee in Intercultural Communication?
I think that it would be fantastic to have your AI co-trainer that suggests you ideas, examples or theories throughout your training, but that also reads between the lines while you are in the training and helps you address critical questions. Or, just imagine you sit in a negotiation with a Japanese person, and then you get some advice from your AI assistant during the negotiation: “hey, this is just happening, watch out!”, “Maybe this would be a good next step”. I think that would be great. Also live personalization of training content while you are talking to people, is part of my vision. So just imagine you have your presentation about Intercultural Communication and then you are asked some questions. And if the questions are simple, the next chart or slide will be simpler. If your questions are super smart, then the next charts will be more complex.
Another prediction related to personalized content, I imagine would be cultural translations in addition to better linguistic translations which are already available. For example, automatic adaptation of your training’s content to different cultures depending on who is your audience.
Finally, I think of better simulations not only powered by Virtual Reality, but all kinds of simulations. For example, using AI chatbots to practice respectful and constructive feedback across different cultures, or simulating business negotiations with realistic AI avatars. These types of simulations would make cultures more tangible and more real for both trainers and learners.
Q: Will AI replace human trainers in Intercultural Communication?
No, but it will change the way we work, and it will enhance the skills of trainers who are willing to question themselves and find ways to evolve with it. I always motivate my clients to really invest some time thinking about: “what is my point of difference compared to AI?” I think people are very quick to say that the differentiator is the human touch, it is creativity, it is empathy. And then I show them a chat bot which is creative, which is empathic!
So, I think, also as an Intercultural Communication trainer, as a coach, you should really dig a little bit deeper, understanding AI and asking yourself, “Am I really better at this specific task than AI?”
Personalizing content, realizing which knowledge level your clients are on and which intellectual skills they have, I think AI is better and faster at it than I am.
For example, if you are neurodivergent, it will take me at least 15 minutes talking to you to realize it. AI would do it in 1 minute: “He is neurodivergent, and he needs a different way of presenting content”. Then I can adapt my teaching style because obviously this person needs something different.
This is the reason why I like to motivate people to try it out and to make the experience and to realize “Oh, wow! I thought I was better at this, but in some aspects I am not. So, what is it that I am better at than AI?”
Q: Is there anything else you would like to add or emphasize about the use of AI in the intercultural field?
I would say try it now! Start looking into AI but also stay skeptical and aware of its limitations. I think once you hear yourself speaking in a language you don’t know, that is the point where you realize there is something going on. I advise looking into all these fantastic opportunities to not remain behind, because if you do not do anything about it, others will do! This is what I think people need to understand.
As we conclude our conversation with Dr. Stephan Ruppert, it is clear that the application of AI in Intercultural Communication training is not a futuristic concept, but a present reality. His recommendation to dive in, experiment, and stay open-minded yet critically aware of AI’s limitations, resonates as a guiding principle for all professionals approaching this new terrain.
Let’s follow Dr. Ruppert’s advice and embrace the change, explore the unknown, and harness the power of AI to bridge cultural divides and enhance our work. And if our article has sparked your interest in learning more from him and delving into the subject of AI further, consider attending his workshop titled “How Artificial Intelligence is changing the way we work today and tomorrow” organized by the SIETAR Netherlands on March 12, 2024, at 19:30 CET.
Dr. Stephan Ruppert. will also be having a Deep Dives Session “AI Between Extremes?! – Diversity-Conscious Prompting” at the SIETAR Europa Congress in Lille this June, where he will be joined by his colleague Rebeca Schröder Crespillo. The Congress registration opens in the middle of February, so keep an eye on the news or subscribe to our newsletters, and let us keep you updated!
Author: Salvatore Gargiulo
All Images Courtesy of Dr. Stephan Ruppert