This blog was written by Jennifer Bly, Incoming Chair, PRSA Technology Section Executive Committee.
Planning on going to a work event any time soon? Small talk that once consisted of questions like, “What do you think of that weather?” have now been replaced with questions like, “What do you think of that new AI advancement?” Almost every event I’ve traveled to this year, AI has been the topic du jour, from open source technology conferences to PRSA’s ICON.
At open source technology conferences where people are all in on tech, I’ve noticed the sentiment is generally more of that of excitement and promise. How will we harness the power of this new technology to innovate? How will we move fast to employ AI to improve processes? How can AI help me solve this problem I have?
Similarly, at PRSA ICON, I also got the sense many people I spoke with are excited about AI, but I also sensed a bit more hesitation about the “what ifs” AI brings with it. How to stay on top of the latest technology and incorporate into our workflows? What are the ethical implications of the development and usage of this technology? How might AI disrupt the job market?
Even though views on AI are partly cloudy, there is a chance of sunshine. I think it will be likely that AI will begin to automate the more routine tasks of a communicator’s job like drafting routine emails, researching topics for articles, or optimizing social media posts. But AI will not be able to replace the human touch required for nuance in storytelling, expertise in PR planning, or counsel on complex communication challenges.
By working together with our colleagues across our organizations and across industries, I think we can bridge the gaps to harness AI for the benefit of society while also addressing its challenges responsibly. A balanced and thoughtful approach to the development and deployment of AI is essential to ensure that it benefits all of humanity.