Episode Summary:
We have more tech at our fingertips than ever—so why does it feel like we’re spending less time on what matters?
In this episode, Bernie sits down with coworking and tech veteran Manuel Conti to unpack the tension between automation, data, and genuine human connection.
Are we improving coworking or just drowning in software, metrics, and chatbots that no one wants to talk to?
Bernie and Manuel challenge the obsession with big data, question whether AI-driven customer service is a disaster in disguise, and highlight why focusing on community over automation might be the most intelligent business move a coworking space can make.
Manuel also shares insights from industry research on how much time operators waste on low-value tasks—and what they could be doing instead.
If you run a coworking space, work in tech, or wonder if your members would be better off talking to a human instead of another bot, this one’s for you.
Timeline Highlights:
[01:00] – From his time in Regus to Pont: How Manuel is reshaping coworking tech to serve people, not just data.
[02:49] – Are we over-relying on data? Why more numbers don’t always mean better decisions.
[05:12] – Tech should remove friction—not create more work.
[07:22] – The rise of isolation: Are we automating ourselves into loneliness?
[09:17] – Voice notes vs. honest conversations: Small tech shifts change human interaction.
[11:12] – The power of being seen: Why people remember how a space makes them feel.
[14:46] – Features vs. actual value: Why most software updates are just noise.
[19:17] – AI is excellent—if you use it to do the right things faster, not the wrong things.
[23:25] – Operators spend too much time on admin that members don’t care about.
[26:50] – Chatbots aren’t customer service. People want to talk to humans.
[31:22] – Big data, blockchain, and the hype cycle: Why we keep chasing the wrong trends.
[34:31] – Where to find Manuel online—and why the best tech improves human interaction.
Detailed Episode Breakdown:
Are We Saving Time—Or Just Automating More Work?
Bernie and Manuel discuss how coworking spaces use more tech than ever—but often in ways that create more work, not less.
From endless KPIs to bloated software stacks, are we just overcomplicating things?
The Myth of Data-Driven Decisions
Manuel shares research from operators who say they need more data—but struggle to explain what they’ll do with it.
Bernie raises a simple question: What if you just asked your members?
Loneliness, Isolation, and the Role of Space
Coworking exists to bring people together, yet Manuel and Bernie explore how we spend more time interacting with screens than with each other.
Is coworking really about community, or is it just another productivity hack?
Tech Should Be a Tool, Not a Distraction
Manuel challenges the idea that AI and automation constantly improve coworking.
If technology doesn’t make people feel more connected, is it helping?
The Cost of Wasted Time
Manuel shares a shocking example: a coworking operator in London has three full-time employees who do nothing but update spreadsheets.
That’s three people who could be building relationships, solving problems, or improving the space—but instead, they’re drowning in admin.
AI vs Human Interaction: Why Chatbots Are Killing Good Service
Not all automation is helpful.
Manuel and Bernie unpack customer service bots' frustration and why the businesses that still prioritise real human support are winning.
Links & Resources:
Manuel’s company: Pont
One more thing
Coworking brings communities together, helping people find and share their voices.
Each episode of the Coworking Values Podcast explores the core values driving coworking: Accessibility, Community, Openness, Collaboration, and Sustainability.
These values aren’t just ideas—they shape the spaces where we gather, work, and grow.
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