One of the most ‘fun’ things about AI is asking it to draw on its knowledge of your work and give an opinion or ideas. It’s easy to sense-check (we all know our own stories) and when you’ve got 20+ years of history online, there’s plenty of material for your AI of choice to be trained on. I’ve made a point of sharing all of my writing, speaking and interview content on this website over the years, and have always felt anything I’ve learnt should be made available to anyone who may find it useful. Because of that ‘share by default’ mentality I’ve got less of an issue having my work hoovered up by ChatGPT and the like than, say, a professional author might.
Today I decided to ask ChatGPT to give me an overview of my book, The Pursuit of Purpose, and to come up with a Reading Guide for it. Although I do get a sense of pleasure doing stuff like this, believe me when I say it’s more than a simple ego-massaging exercise. I’ve been genuinely interested in how the book might be used by changemakers-to-be for a while, and I’m planning a second edition which I hope makes it even more accessible to people (more on that in a future post).
So, to start, here’s what AI thinks of the book (emphasis by ChatGPT, not me).
The Pursuit of Purpose by Ken Banks is widely regarded as a thoughtful, honest and inspiring book, especially for people interested in social impact, technology for good, and finding meaning in their work.
STRENGTHS OF THE BOOK
Personal and Real. It’s not a ‘how-to’ or self-help formula. Instead, Ken shares his personal journey – from uncertainty to global impact – with honesty about his mistakes, doubts, and growth.
Inspirational for Changemakers. If you’re trying to make a difference in the world but feel overwhelmed, this book offers encouragement. It shows that you don’t need to be a big-name leader or have a perfect plan to make a real difference.
Grounded in Real-World Experience. Ken doesn’t just talk about purpose in theory. He’s spent years working in ICT4D (Information and Communication Technologies for Development), especially in Africa, and shares real stories from the field.
Accessible and Reflective. It’s easy to read and feels like a conversation with someone who’s been through the challenges of searching for purpose and doing meaningful work.
WHO IT’S BEST FOR
- Young people looking for direction.
- Anyone working in social innovation, development or tech for good.
- Readers interested in purpose-driven work beyond traditional career success.
If you’re exploring identity, social change and meaningful living – especially from a mindful or values-based perspective – this book pairs really well with Buddhist or reflective reading too.
If any of this has piqued your interest then feel free to download the book (or buy it from Amazon, or any place that sells books) and have a read. I’d love to hear your thoughts if you decide to do that.
After basking in glory for a few minutes , I then asked ChatGPT to give me a Reading Guide, something that people could use to frame and guide their reading of the book. This is what I got.
Reading Guide: The Pursuit of Purpose
Author: Ken Banks
Theme: Discovering purpose through real-world experience, especially in social change and technology for good.
Structure of the Guide
- Before You Start
- Chapter-by-Chapter Questions
- Reflection Prompts
- Creative Exercises
- Final Project Idea
1. Before You Start
Ask yourself:
- What does ‘purpose’ mean to me right now?
- Do I believe you have to ‘find’ purpose or can you build it through action?
- Am I hoping to make a difference in the world? If so, how?
2. Chapter-by-Chapter Questions
(These are thematic and not tied to exact titles, as the book reads like a personal journey.)
Chapters 1–3 (Early Life & Uncertainty):
- What moments in Ken’s early life shaped his curiosity?
- Have you ever felt unsure of your direction like he did? What helped?
Chapters 4–7 (Discovery Through Action):
- How did Ken’s travels and real-world experience shape his sense of purpose?
- What does this say about the value of doing versus just thinking?
Chapters 8–11 (Building FrontlineSMS):
- What stands out about how Ken developed his technology?
- What role did listening to others play in his process?
- What mistakes did he make, and what did he learn?
Chapters 12–End (Reflection & Purpose):
- How did Ken’s definition of purpose evolve?
- What kind of impact did he create – and what fuelled it?
3. Reflection Prompts
Use these in a journal or discussion group:
- Describe a moment where something felt meaningful to you. What made it feel that way?
- What strengths or skills do you have that could help others – even in a small way?
- Are there any fears or doubts holding you back from starting something purposeful?
4. Creative Exercises
- Timeline of Purpose: Draw a timeline of your life so far. Mark moments when you felt close to or far from your sense of purpose.
- Purpose Collage: Make a visual collage (paper or digital) of what ‘purpose’ looks like to you using images, quotes, or symbols.
- Idea Starter: Choose one problem you care about. Brainstorm one small action you could take in the next week to explore it.
5. Final Project Idea
Design a Purpose Project Plan
Based on what you learned, outline a small project you could start:
- What is the purpose behind it?
- Who would it serve?
- What tools or knowledge do you already have?
- What’s the first step?
Over the years I’ve spoken at many schools and universities around the world, and supported and mentored a number of young innovators. Not only is giving back something we ought to do, but it’s something I enjoy (and something I continue to do). Fortunately, through my writing, speaking and affiliations with the likes of National Geographic, a lot of my work (and how I feel we should go about social change) does reach far and wide, but there’s always that tricky last mile.
Hopefully this post, and in particular the Reading Guide, will get into the hands of a teacher or university lecturer somewhere, and help me reach out just that little bit further.