Framing Matters: What AI Is Teaching Us About Human Connection

I was reading an article in The Times this week by Matthew Syed, and something stuck with me. He was talking about artificial intelligence—and not in the usual hand-wringing way. Instead, he offered a different frame: that AI, if used well, could be the mother of invention.

He quoted a podcast featuring Demis Hassabis the co-founder of Google Deep Mind. Hassabis noted that AI has severe limitations that can only be exceeded by humans. The power of the imagination.

“You have to sniff out what the right direction is, what the right experiment is, what the right question is…”

And that got me thinking.

At Noggin, a big part of our work—whether in coaching, facilitation, or leadership development—is helping people operate with intention.

And here’s the link to AI.

It might sound strange, but using tools like ChatGPT has taught me (and many others I’ve worked with) a very human lesson:

The quality of the result is shaped by the quality of the frame you set for it.

If you treat AI like a Google search—asking vague or hurried questions—you get generic responses. But if you slow down, offer context, clarify your intention, and frame your inquiry well… the response you get back is markedly better.

Clearer. Deeper. More meaningful.

And isn’t that just like human interaction?

The Frame Shapes the Response

When we’re working with leaders and teams, we often talk about the importance of framing. Whether you’re leading a meeting, giving feedback, coaching someone, or even navigating a tough conversation at home—how you set the frame shapes everything that follows.

The intention you hold, and the way you express it, creates the space for others to respond. To understand. To engage.

So here’s the irony: In learning how to better talk to AI, we’re being reminded how to better talk to each other.

A Quick Check-In

Next time you're preparing for a conversation or challenge—try asking yourself:

• What’s the frame I’m setting here?

• What’s my intention—what am I really hoping to create?

• How might I shape this in a way that brings others with me?

Just like with AI, the more conscious and well-framed your inquiry, the better the conversation that follows.

Intentional Framing Isn’t Just a Skill. It’s a Signal.

It signals clarity. It signals care. And it signals that you’re not just reacting—you’re leading.

So whether you’re leading a team, a project, or a conversation this week, here’s your invitation:

Set the frame. Hold the intention. Then step in.