AI with purpose

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

  1. Before You Start
  2. Chapter-by-Chapter Questions
  3. Reflection Prompts
  4. Creative Exercises
  5. 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.

Mindful action. Meaningful change.

Whenever we set out to make the world a better place, our instinct is often to jump straight in and get ‘doing’. Driven by a sense of urgency that pushes us to act without delay, we find ourselves desperate to fix, or to build, or to solve. Perhaps it’s because we’re drawn to the visible impact of the doing, but if there’s one thing I’ve learned throughout my own journey it’s that meaningful, lasting change rarely starts with action.

It starts with understanding. And understanding begins with mindfulness.

In my own work, particularly during the development of FrontlineSMS, I’ve learnt that you can’t ever assume to know what people need or want. That assumption is the biggest mistake I’ve seen people make over the years. Before I’d even written a line of code I spent time listening, observing, probing and asking questions. I always felt it was important to try and step into the shoes of the people I wanted to try and help, and to spend time with them. And what I realised was that the most appropriate solutions weren’t tech-focused, but people-focused.

Assessing an aid project with CARE staff and recipients, Malawi (2015). Photo: Hayley Capp

Although I didn’t realise it at the time, my anthropological approach aligned perfectly with core Buddhist thinking, which teaches us to act without attachment to outcome, to listen deeply and to cultivate compassion as a guide to action. It invites us to bring awareness into each step we take, resisting the rush to do, and instead choosing to be fully present with the people and problems we encounter.

This is the foundation of mindful action.

Mindful action means creating space between intention and impact. It means recognising that the desire to help, while noble, can still do harm if not grounded in humility. Many well-meaning projects fail because they are imposed rather than grown from the ground up. They ignore the wisdom of local people. They treat symptoms, not causes. Mindfulness helps us slow down enough to see the whole picture.

For many years now I’ve promoted empathy as the starting point for all meaningful development work. True empathy requires us to suspend judgment, to listen without waiting to reply, and to accept that we might not have all the answers. In a world desperate for quick fixes, overnight successes and shiny new tech, my approach sometimes came across as a little radical, although I always saw it as plain common sense. However you define the approach, it was certainly a necessary one. The complexity of global challenges – from inequality to climate change and everything in between – demands depth, not just speed.

Mindful action also asks us to reflect on our motivations. Are we helping because we want to be seen as helpful? Because we need to feel useful? Or because we have truly connected with the issue and the people affected by it? When our actions are aligned with genuine care and awareness, they carry a different energy. They become sustainable. They invite collaboration. They build trust. And harmony. 

There’s a quiet strength in pausing. In taking the time to understand a community’s history, values, needs and dreams before proposing solutions. In other words, in living with uncertainty rather than rushing to fill the silence. Practicing mindful action helps us realise that sometimes the best thing we can do is listen. Or amplify someone else’s voice. Or step back entirely.

Technology can be a powerful tool for change, but it is only as effective as the intention and context behind its use. In my work I’ve seen how simple, low-tech solutions can transform lives when designed with empathy and care. I’ve also seen how high-tech projects fail spectacularly when they ignore local realities or are primarily ego-driven. Mindful action is not about the size of the solution. It’s about the depth of the connection.

Bushbuckridge, South Africa (2003), where I carried out my early mobile work.

For any doubters out there, mindful action doesn’t mean inaction. It means intentional, thoughtful and respectful movement. It means taking time to understand before intervening, and knowing when to lead and when to follow. It calls on us to let go of control, to be open to change, and to see the people we work with not as beneficiaries, but as equals and experts in their own lives. Sometimes I feel that much of the global development work I witnessed over the years had forgotten this, and that was one reason I stepped back all those years ago.

In the end, practicing mindful action is about aligning our external efforts with our internal values. It asks us to lead with presence, to build with care and to remain open to being changed by the work that we do. It might not always be fast, and it might not always be easy, but it is real. And in a world craving authenticity and connection, that may be the most powerful form of change we have.

Travelling the Buddhist path

For the past few years I’ve been taking a growing interest in Buddhist thinking. And I’ve been challenging myself to think more and more about not only how it can be applied in social change, but how I might apply it in my own work. Despite what it says on the tin, social change activities can often be quite mechanical or quite ‘stale’. Other than church- and faith-based groups, of which there are many, few others seem to talk about the presence, or not, of spirituality in their work. I’ve always wondered why – see this from 14 years ago, for example.

There are many great Buddhism books out there. I’ve not read as many as I’d like, probably because I’ve found myself constantly distracted, venturing off into the realms of neuroplasticity, consciousness and even psychedelics.

But in all my readings, whatever they’ve been, five things in particular have stood out and resonated the most.

Practice mindful action
Before jumping into solving social problems, take time to observe and understand them deeply. This is where I’ve found my anthropological training most useful. Use mindfulness to stay present and avoid any knee-jerk reaction. Ensure your efforts align with real needs rather than your own assumptions and aspirations.

Lead with compassion
Buddhism teaches us that all beings deserve kindness. True social change happens when we act not from anger or frustration but from compassion. This means listening to different perspectives, avoiding harm and seeking solutions that uplift everyone.

Embrace interdependence
Everything is connected. Environmental destruction, inequality and mental health struggles are not isolated issues, even though we often treat them that way. By recognising interdependence we can design holistic solutions that address the root causes, not just the symptoms.

Let go of your ego
Social change is not about personal recognition. By letting go of attachment to titles, status or credit you can focus on the true impact of your work rather than any personal gains. (This also helps avoid burnout and frustration when change takes time – which it almost always does).

Speak and act wisely
Change often happens through dialogue, storytelling and communication. Engage in constructive dialogue rather than spreading anger or division. Choose work that ensures your activities supports others, not exploit or harm them.

Things are tough out there right now. Engaging in social change with clarity, compassion and resilience is more important than ever. If you’re interested in learning more about how Buddhist thinking might be applied in your work, please feel free to drop me a line.

New beginnings

Today, thousands of children across the UK had their first day at secondary school. My youngest two were among them. Seeing them head off in their shiny new uniforms earlier this morning made for a very proud moment.

But today was a very big day for me professionally, too.

Our children were born during what I’d call the peak of my career. When Maddie and Ollie came along we already had Henry, and I was travelling the world giving keynotes, visiting project sites, picking up lucrative consultancy work, writing guest articles for major news outlets and magazines, publishing books, working with the likes of Archbishop Tutu and Peter Gabriel, and winning awards and Fellowships for my social innovation efforts. It was an incredible time, and I still pinch myself when I think about it.

But it was one that didn’t sit comfortably with parenthood.

So I stepped back and, after a brief final flurry of overseas travel, gave it all up to prioritise my young family. That meant taking less risk and focusing on work which meant I could be at home as much as possible to do the school runs, cook dinner and tuck the kids into bed at night. You know, the kind of stuff you only get one chance of doing.

To say I’ve missed the buzz and excitement of what came before would be an understatement, and even now I look back fondly on what was a golden age for me and my work. But it was all worth it, and today is testament to that.

My target, all those years ago, was to see all the children safely into secondary school, and only after that to focus back on myself. Today is the first day of that new beginning. I’m excited for what’s ahead, and feel a sense of rebirth as I turn my attention back to things I want to do with my remaining time on this little blue planet of ours.