Don’t let AI Steal Your Voice

From Scales to Soul, Speaking Beyond Scripts

I was just a toddler when my parents started me on classical piano lessons. It was absolutely about ‘practice makes perfect’ – every note played at the perfect moment, with perfect tone, at the perfect volume, and in the perfect manner exactly as the composer intended. That all changed when I was introduced to jazz and gospel music at the age of 12. These new genres brought me on a journey of self-discovery and authentic expression finally culminating in a unique original sound that is immediately and distinctively mine. Where classical music was about perfection and performance, jazz and gospel were about originality and authenticity.
The discovery of jazz and gospel didn’t just reshape how I express myself musically, it reshaped how I coach clients in public speaking. In a world turning to AI to coach in writing a perfect speech, I prefer to coach like a jazz mentor – helping Fortune 500 CEOs and innovative founders experiment to discover their own authentic voice.

Originality

AI may suggest effective stories, but only you have truly lived your life story. Your unique experiences are what make you truly one of a kind – an original!
I often start my keynote speeches with how I stared death in the face. I was 16 years old, on a foot safari in the wild bushes of Zimbabwe, when a miscalculated step had us face to face with the king of the jungle – a lion! It’s wild. It’s true. And only I can do this near-death story justice as I enthrall the audience with how we survived and how it transformed our lives.

Practical Tip:

Create a story bank. Take 30 minutes to reflect on 10 key moments of your life— firsts, fears, failures, victories and once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

Relatability

AI can neatly organize your information, but only you can bring the connection. Only we humans can empathize with each other’s trials and triumphs, struggles and successes.
After studying at Yale, winning 3 presidential awards and having recently worked for the UN, I thought I had “made it.” But a devastating recession in Ireland left me broke and unemployed for 18 months. I am often amazed how speaking about this vulnerably empowers the audience to share their own stories of loss, betrayal and self-doubt.

Practical Tip:

Pick 3 of the stories from your story bank and expand beyond the basic facts to include deeper emotions and feelings. We relate to emotions and stories more than facts and figures.

Personality

AI may give you content, but only you can bring credibility and charisma. Integrating your unique personality is what makes a good speech great.
I do about 100 speaking engagements a year at tech conferences mostly in Europe. But I almost always wear traditional Indian wedding attire, paired with shiny Middle Eastern shoes, and tell stories of growing up in Africa in American accent. Why? Because growing up in 4 continents as the son of an Indian diplomat and having a multi-cultural perspective is a big part of who I am.

Practical Tip:

Choose one of the stories from above and re-write a comedy sketch. Then re-write it as a children’s book. Experiment with humor or horror. Bring your natural quirks and energy. As you explore, you’ll discover your rhythm, tone and flow. Jazz, Remember? Not classical.

AI is a wonderful tool that can be significantly helpful. But only you can bring the irreplaceable human elements: Originality, Relatability and Personality.

Because ultimately the goal isn’t to deliver a perfect classical performance. It’s to make a connection – just as jazz does to my soul.

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DanRam is Europe’s leading moderator / event MC and keynote speaker. Known for his highly engaging approach to hosting high profile events, he empowers audiences to “Start Now, Start Simple.” Facilitating groundbreaking conversations on innovation, technology, and leadership he shares the stage with luminaries like President Barack Obama, Sir Richard Branson, record-breaking athletes, and Hollywood celebrities. His international portfolio includes colleges, parliaments, Fortune 500 companies, and the biggest tech conferences on 4 continents.  Fostering diversity of thought, perspectives, and voices from 30 person board rooms to 30,000 person stadiums make him a much sought-after and highly adaptable communicator in the event industry.