AI is putting human and emotional connection at risk, says celebrated neurodivergent spoken word Yorkshire poet

“Spoken word is about capturing the essence of human experience, something AI simply cannot do. “

From TedX talks and open mic sessions to headlining at global events and poetry slams, celebrated spoken word artist and business poet, Dr Kate Jenkinson, says human and emotional connection is at risk of being lost in the world of artificial intelligence.

Originally a research scientist turned award-winning HR business leader with over 20 years of senior leadership experience in global, national and regional organisations, Kate, from Doncaster, now runs her own executive coaching business by day, Next Step HR, and by night is a performance poet, delivering spontaneous spoken word finales for all kinds of events, including charity awards ceremonies and leadership conferences. She said:

“During the pandemic, like many people, I re-evaluated my priorities. I wanted to focus on personal happiness which, for me, meant putting my family first as well as helping others find their flow and giving back to those who have nothing. I do this by having conversations, through coaching and my poetry – and I’ve never been happier.”

Recently, Kate gave the keynote inspirational speech to South Yorkshire’s Women’s Institute annual conference and to the Sheffield Coaching Exchange conference as well as delivering her incredible Spoken Word Finales for them. She regularly presents poetry and creative workshops across Yorkshire and Lancashire – and is called on for international conferences too, including performing a Spoken Word Finale in front of one thousand delegates at the TedX Women Amsterdam event. Kate says spoken word is about capturing the essence of human experience, something AI simply cannot do.

“You could say I was there for the entertainment, but the speakers told me they were standing in the wings listening to my summary and they all felt seen and heard – and they generally don’t get that kind of feedback. They rock up, do their thing but don’t get the validation. AI is very transactional and dehumanising. It normalises everything. Spoken Word is all about capturing the essence of human experience and, by doing so, truly connecting with people.”

It’s this connection that has event organisers coming back to her time and time again once they have experienced her poetry in person. In fact, feedback from one charity fundraiser saw their donations doubled once attendees had heard her poetry performance.

“I’m not saying you should hire me because your donations will double, I’m saying that when people genuinely care, they want to give more. It’s all about real, emotional connection.”

Kate is neurodivergent. For her, this encompasses having an ADHD brain and aphantasia, which means she is unable to form images in her mind’s eye. It was her love of the spoken word that led to her setting up Prickly Pear, an accessible open mic event for artists with impairments.

2024 continues to be a busy year for Kate. This October, she will launch “Un/Broken,” her first poetry collection in print through Poetic Edge, an independent publisher who champions marginalised voices. And in November, she is hosting the first ever online international Poetry in Business conference.