Generative AI and Change & Communications

The world is rapidly changing around us, with technology transforming not only the way we work but also how we create and communicate.

AI, once reserved for a select few, now assists us in daily tasks like checking grammar, searching for content, creating imagery, and analyzing data.

So what does this mean for Change and Communications? Will a quick prompt in ChatGPT write and deliver your communications? Will chatbots serve up knowledge, eliminating the need for training? Will automation nullify the need for processes and documentation?

The answer might be yes… in time, but there’s more to change than that.

Will AI fully support people on a change journey? Will it engage hearts and minds? Will it get people involved in the change to improve it? Will it be able to create and manage intricate communication or change strategies? Will it foster the culture you aim for? No… at least not yet.

For now, human expertise is crucial. Our Agile Transformation Services provide the support and insights necessary to engage your team, manage communication strategies, and foster the desired culture.

Will Generative AI replace the need for Communications and Change Management?

No – and here’s why it’s actually creating a higher demand for it instead.

• Information Overload: The digital age is flooded with data. Keeping up can be daunting, and overwhelming for our teams
• Swift Technological Evolution: As change continues to accelerate, deciding what skills to hone becomes a challenge, especially for the less tech-savvy.
• Tech Dependency: Over-reliance might create isolated pockets and reduce human interaction and connection across the business.
• Quality Discernment: Amidst AI-generated content, distinguishing credible sources becomes harder.
• Mental Well-being: Constant screen time, exposure to vast amounts of data and the rush to stay updated can contribute to stress, anxiety, and other mental health challenges
• Ethical Concerns: AI-generated content, like deepfakes, blurs the line between genuine and fabricated, leading to distrust of information.

How Change and Communications experts can keep pace with AI

As Generative AI accelerates the rate of change, businesses must also communicate faster and adapt to real-time changes. To keep pace, Change and Communications experts need to revolutionize their practices, leveraging AI to:

• Speed up content generation with its ability to create human-like language.
• Target communications through personalization, using vast amounts of data to tailor content to individual or specific business unit needs.
• Increase engagement by using video and art generative AI tools, which enhance the variety and effectiveness of communication at previously prohibitive costs.
• Reduce the need for knowledge-based training through AI-powered chatbots, and make other training shorter and more effective.
• Gain insights on change effectiveness and adoption by analyzing data and feedback through AI.

As Change and Communications professionals harness AI, it is crucial to keep in mind:

• Change Saturation: People have limits on change assimilation.
• Employee Experience: Maintain a view of the overall employee journey through change, using Human-Centered Design.
• Well-being: Prioritize employee mental health.
• Ethics: Ensure genuine and ethical messaging.
• Continuous Learning: As AI automates tasks, forecast ahead and prioritize employee reskilling.

Now is the time for Change and Communication Practices to reevaluate and rethink how their organization uses AI and manages, prioritizes, and communicates change in this new age.

The future is here, powered by Generative AI. Embrace the change, evolve your practices, and stay ahead in this exciting journey. Contact us to find out more about our Agile Transformation Services.

Case Study

Watch the video blog version of this article made using generative AI.