AI Now: Embracing the Future of Communication at #NSPRA2023

As I prepare to stand before my peers from across the United States and Canada to present at #NSPRA2023 tomorrow, I've pondered the enduring message I hope to imprint. What key takeaway about generative AI do I wish for my colleagues to carry with them into their current professional practice?

I've reflected on this for several weeks, and here's what I've arrived at: The understanding and application of generative AI is no longer a luxury or something to "explore down the road" in our field of communication or strategic communication. It really is an immediate necessity. Now is the time.

Generative AI, this powerful engine that can generate content, brainstorm creatively, analyze and synthesize data, and initiate compelling conversations, is more than just an exciting piece of technology. It's a pivotal force ready to catapult our communication strategies into uncharted territories.

This game-changing technology doesn't just enhance our productivity; it multiplies the potency and reach of our communications in ways we've only begun to explore. Integrating AI into our field does indeed introduce new complexities. And yet, I firmly believe that the way to navigate challenges of authenticity, ethics, and the quality of AI-generated content is through active engagement and vigilant oversight, not withdrawal or reluctance.

The active embrace, understanding, and integration of generative AI into our work isn't just an option to be considered. It's a mandate for every professional communicator, regardless of the specific sphere of communications you operate in. The future we speculated about is unfolding right here, right now.