How I Work with Technology to Amplify Human Connection 

John M. DeMarco, LLC

Updated Feb. 7, 2026

My aim in my work is straightforward: I want to absolutely delight people during real-time conversations and when sharing content I've created. Everything I do—including how I use technology—serves this aim.

What I'm Building and Why

I’m building a deeply human coaching practice, grounded in my thought leadership, augmented and connected by AI where it meaningfully increases depth, reach, and continuity.

I'm not just a “coach using AI.” I'm demonstrating what it looks like to lead thoughtfully in a technology-rich world. The infrastructure I've built ensures that innovation and ethics move forward together, not at each other's expense.

This work is about being fully present with you, supported by tools that amplify rather than replace human connection.

What I'm Not

An AI influencer

A tech maximalist

A content factory

How AI Serves My Practice

AI is my generative thinking partner, not an authority. It helps me be more present and human-centered by serving three specific roles:

Pattern-Spotter: Identifying themes across coaching sessions

Drafting Assistant: Creating first versions that I then re-humanize

Reflective Mirror: Surfacing questions I might not ask myself

Two Core Principles:

1. The Socratic Default: For requests involving ethics or complex judgment, AI surfaces options and reflective questions rather than providing a single "best" answer.

2. Human-in-the-Loop: Every AI output is reviewed and re-humanized to match my curious, literary, and warm tone. If it feels reductive, flat, or uses generic coach-speak, I stop and start over.

Your Privacy Matters

To enhance your coaching experience and provide "just-in-time" strategic resources, I use specialized AI tools for synthesis and research. Your privacy is protected through rigorous protocols that exceed ICF (International Coaching Federation) ethical standards:

Data Scrubbing: Before processing any session transcripts or 360-degree feedback through AI systems, I permanently remove all Personally Identifiable Information (PII)—including names, contact details, and proprietary project code names—using professional-grade redaction software (Redactable).

Non-Training Guarantee: I exclusively use paid, professional tiers of AI platforms (Claude Pro, Perplexity Pro, NotebookLM) configured with "Zero Data Retention" and "No Training" settings. Your data is never used to train global AI models.

Context, Not Conversation: AI is used solely for synthesizing themes and generating reflective prompts. Raw, unredacted dialogue remains exclusively within my secure, encrypted Google Workspace environment and is never shared with third-party AI platforms.

After Redaction: The AI sees "Client A," "Company B," "Project C," etc.—preserving strategic context while completely removing personal identity.

Active Consent: You can opt out of AI-assisted synthesis at any time. If your corporate policy or personal preference prohibits AI tools, we'll revert to traditional manual note-taking immediately.

My Professional Grounding

Everything I do is anchored in the most current ICF Core Competencies (including latest PCC and MCC minimum skills expectations), the ICF Code of Ethics, and the ICF Mentor Coaching Competencies. My faithfulness to these standards never wavers—with or without technology.

Alignment with ICF AI Coaching Standards

In November 2024, the International Coaching Federation released comprehensive an AI Coaching Framework and Standards. The ICF AI Coaching Standards recognize that AI, when used ethically, can make coaching more accessible and impactful. My infrastructure ensures I meet and exceed these standards while maintaining the deeply human nature of our coaching relationship:

AI Ethics (Standard A.1): I clearly disclose AI use to you, explain system limits, and maintain complete transparency about data handling.

Coaching Mindset (Standard A.2): AI tools support my open, flexible, client-centered approach rather than replacing human judgment.

Trust and Safety (Standard B.4): You can opt out of AI synthesis at any time. I differentiate between universal coaching principles and AI-specific applications.

Data Privacy (Standard F.12): All your data undergoes redaction before AI processing. I use enterprise-grade tools with 'No Training' clauses. Encryption at rest and in transit.

Bias Mitigation (Standard A.1.5): Regular quality assurance checks ensure AI outputs don't perpetuate biases. Multiple AI tools provide diverse perspectives.

Human Oversight (Standard E.10.6): All AI outputs reviewed by me before sharing with you. AI augments, never replaces, human coaching.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Where is my coaching data stored, and who has access?

Your raw coaching data (unredacted transcripts and notes) remains exclusively within my secure, encrypted Google Workspace environment. I am the sole person with access. When data is shared with AI tools for synthesis, it's fully redacted first—names, project titles, and sensitive details never leave my control.

Are my conversations used to "train" global AI models?

No. I exclusively use paid, enterprise-grade tiers of AI platforms (Perplexity Pro, Claude Pro, Gemini Business) with strict contractual "No-Training" clauses. Your inputs and our session insights are never used to improve public models from companies like OpenAI, Google, or Anthropic.

What specific AI tools are involved in my coaching experience?

In addition to transcripts from Google Meet coaching sessions (only used with your prior approval), I use specialized AI tools:

Perplexity Pro — Real-time industry and company research

NotebookLM — Grounded synthesis of your developmental patterns after document redactions

Claude Pro — High-fidelity drafting of executive briefs and strategic roadmaps

Google Vids and Canva Pro — Creating visual/video learning content for between-session resources tailored to your preferences

How do you ensure my identity remains protected?

Before any document is analyzed by AI, it undergoes a multi-pass redaction process using Redactable—AI-powered software that strips all Personally Identifiable Information (PII) including names, contact info, and internal project code names. The AI sees "Client A," "Company B," "Project C," etc., preserving strategic context while removing personal identity.

Is your process compliant with corporate security standards like GDPR?

Yes. My workflow exceeds GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) and CCPA (California Consumer Privacy Act) standards for data minimization and purpose limitation. By scrubbing PII at the source and using enterprise-grade tools with SOC 2 Type II certification, I provide a level of data sovereignty that meets requirements of most global tech and healthcare organizations.

Can I opt out of AI-assisted synthesis?

Absolutely. While AI-assisted synthesis allows me to provide a higher level of "just-in-time" value and pattern recognition, it's a tool for your benefit. If your corporate policy or personal preference prohibits AI tools, we'll revert to traditional manual note-taking and synthesis immediately.

GLOSSARY OF TERMS

AI (Artificial Intelligence): Computer systems able to perform tasks that typically require human intelligence, such as pattern recognition, language understanding, and decision-making.

CCPA (California Consumer Privacy Act): California law giving consumers control over how businesses collect and use their personal information.

GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation): European Union law protecting personal data and privacy for individuals within the EU.

HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act): U.S. law requiring confidentiality and security of healthcare information.

ICF (International Coaching Federation): Global organization setting standards and credentials for professional coaching.

LLM (Large Language Model): AI system trained on vast amounts of text to understand and generate human-like language.

MCC (Master Certified Coach): ICF's highest coaching credential, requiring 200+ hours coaching and demonstration of advanced coaching skills.

NLP (Natural Language Processing): AI technology that helps computers understand, interpret, and generate human language.

PCC (Professional Certified Coach): ICF mid-level coaching credential, requiring 500+ hours coaching experience and demonstrated coaching competencies.

PII (Personally Identifiable Information): Any information that can identify an individual, such as name, email, phone, or identification numbers.

SOC 2 Type II: Auditing standard for service organizations' security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality, and privacy controls.