Put the “You” Back Into AI: How to Use AI Without Losing Your Authenticity With Darren Sharples

Welcome to the Business Growth Trailblazers Podcast! In today’s episode, we’re talking about how to put the “You” back into AI so you can leverage its power without losing your authenticity.  AI Training is everywhere right now, but on its own, it’s never enough, you’ll find that out soon enough. There are 3 pillars that are necessary for AI Adoption to hold, hardly anyone provides them all (they can’t): AI Enablement, AI Risk & Compliance and The Human Risk in AI. There is a very specific reason Darren can offer all three, and knowing his past may explain.Let’s rewind to the beginning. Darren started in sales and it went well (top salesperson within 6 months), then moved to corporate sales. He founded his first company in web tech, learned on the fly, and that company was still going 10 years later. He founded his second company, which went really well (£7 million annual revenue at its peak). He didn’t exit, had the chance, but COVID made sure he didn’t get a second bite. He worked in a c-suite for 25 years, so he understands the pressure and environment. In 2023, he started his training to be a qualified psychotherapist. He got into AI early, saw the potential, and used it to reduce an entire department’s spend by 88%, reducing an average workflow from 1–2 weeks to hours with zero job losses. He knows the tools very well. Coming from a regulated industry, he knows what is required to minimise risk and appease auditors. He is a therapist in placement and sits with people during their most vulnerable moments. He’s trained to see what others do not—the team member who is anxious about AI but putting on a front, and the others who are dependent and hiding it. In 2025, he founded Safer Haven to provide Ethical AI Enablement / Risk Management & Behavioural Change.So here we are: 25 years a business leader, many of them in regulated sectors, 4 years psychotherapy training & many years’ experience with AI in the workplace.Connect with Darren here:linkedin.com/in/darren-ai-sharpleshttps://saferhaven.aiGrab the freebie here: http://saferhaven.ai/dtb===================================If you enjoyed this episode, remember to hit the like button and subscribe. Then share this episode with your friends.Thanks for watching the Business Growth Trailblazers Podcast. This podcast is part of the Digital Trailblazer family of podcasts. To learn more about Digital Trailblazer and what we do to help entrepreneurs, go to DigitalTrailblazer.com.Are you a coach, consultant, expert, or online course creator? Then we’d love to invite you to our FREE Facebook Group where you can learn the best strategies to land more high-ticket clients and customers. QUICK LINKS: APPLY TO BE FEATURED: https://app.digitaltrailblazer.com/podcast-guest-applicationDIGITAL TRAILBLAZER: https://digitaltrailblazer.com/