A "chat" with ChatGPT on the future of AI and comms
The popular AI tool shares its "thoughts," cautions, advice, generational insight on texting - and a pretty good PR joke, too.
I had the pleasure recently of speaking to students from the corporate communications program at Centennial College about my time in comms - sharing experiences and stories. I’ve always enjoyed this part of what I do and always say yes to invitations when I can. It allows me to reflect on my own career and what exactly it is that I do. And, of course, provides students with some insight about the day-to-day workings of a busy comms shop as they embark on their careers, with the perspective of someone who’s led large teams.
I particularly enjoy the Q&A portion of these talks, to wit the spark for this week’s “HOT Takes” and a question I got about AI and what impacts I thought it will have, or is having, on our industry. The best I could offer off the cuff was to ensure we keep a tight leash on it; to not let the human element of what we do get lost in the name of efficiency. I’m not wrong.
Thinking about it later, though, I decided to go right to the source and see what AI had to say on the present and future of AI in communications. Here is my “interview” with ChatGPT, edited for length. The entire unedited chat can be accessed here.
(Also, I asked ChatGPT to generate five images and captions based on the transcript. It had more than 2,300 words to work with, making it quite the detailed prompt. The image generator remains ChatGPT’s weakest and, unintentionally, most amusing link, as you’ll see.)
Enjoy!
BR: I'm going to ask you a series of questions about the future of corporate communications and the role of AI. My first question, however, is for you to tell me the source of the information you're using for the answers you're about to provide.
ChatGPT: The information I provide will be based on a combination of the following sources:
Current Literature and Research: This includes academic papers, industry reports, and expert analyses on corporate communications and AI.
News and Media: Reputable news outlets and industry publications that cover recent developments and trends in AI and corporate communications.
Professional Knowledge: Insights derived from my training data, which includes a broad range of books, articles, and other texts up to my knowledge cutoff in July 2023.
Real-Time Information: For the most up-to-date insights, I can use a browsing tool to access recent articles and reports if needed.
BR: What is your best asset that those working in corporate communications environments should take advantage of?
ChatGPT: My best asset is my ability to generate and analyze large volumes of text quickly and accurately. Here are specific ways this can be leveraged:
Content Creation: I can help create a wide range of content types, from press releases and newsletters to blog posts and social media updates.
Personalization: Using natural language processing, I can tailor messages to different audience segments, enhancing engagement and relevance.
Sentiment Analysis: I can analyze social media, customer feedback, and other communications to gauge public sentiment and inform communication strategies.
Crisis Management: In times of crisis, I can help draft immediate responses, monitor ongoing developments, and suggest appropriate follow-up communications to manage the situation effectively.
Data-Driven Insights: I can analyze communication metrics and provide insights into what strategies are working, helping to refine and improve future communications.
Efficiency: Automating routine communication tasks allows human communicators to focus on strategic planning and creative initiatives.
BR: What do people using you need to do to ensure they are getting the best of your abilities?
ChatGPT: They should consider the following practices:
Clear Instructions: Provide detailed and specific instructions about the desired outcome, including the tone, style, target audience, and any particular points that need emphasis.
Context Sharing: Share relevant background information and context for the task.
Iterative Feedback: Engage in a feedback loop. Review the content I generate, provide feedback, and request revisions as needed to refine the output.
Leveraging My Strengths: Use my capabilities for data analysis, sentiment analysis, and content generation for routine and data-heavy tasks, freeing up human communicators for strategic and creative work.
Ethical Considerations: Ensure that the use of AI respects privacy, confidentiality, and ethical guidelines, particularly in sensitive communication scenarios.
Combining AI with Human Insight: Use me as a tool to augment human capabilities rather than replace them.
Ongoing Learning: Stay informed about the latest developments in AI capabilities and best practices to continuously improve how you use AI in communications.
BR: If you're asked for advice on how to best manage communications in a crisis, what is your response?
ChatGPT:
1. Preparation and Planning
Crisis Communication Plan: Develop a comprehensive plan that outlines potential scenarios, key messages, and communication channels.
Crisis Team: Establish a team responsible for overseeing communications, decision-making, and stakeholder engagement.
2. Timeliness and Accuracy
Immediate Response: Respond quickly to acknowledge the crisis.
Fact-Checking: Ensure all communications are accurate.
3. Transparency and Honesty
Open Communication: Be transparent about what you know and what you don’t know.
Consistency: Maintain consistency in messaging across all channels to avoid confusion and build trust.
4. Empathy and Reassurance
Show Empathy: Acknowledge the impact of the crisis on affected individuals and communities.
Reassure Stakeholders: Provide reassurance by explaining the steps being taken to address the crisis and prevent future occurrences.
5. Proactive Engagement
Regular Updates: Keep stakeholders informed with regular updates, even if there is no new information.
Stakeholder Engagement: Engage with stakeholders, including employees, customers, and the media.
6. Monitoring and Feedback
Monitor Channels: Continuously monitor social media, news outlets, and other communication channels to gauge public sentiment and respond to emerging issues.
Feedback Loop: Create a feedback loop to gather input from stakeholders and adjust your communications as needed.
7. Post-Crisis Evaluation
Debrief and Evaluate: After the crisis, conduct a debrief to evaluate the effectiveness of the communications.
Update Plans: Use insights from the evaluation to update your crisis communication plan and be better prepared for future incidents.
Practical Steps:
Designate a Spokesperson: Have a single point of contact for media.
Internal Communication: Keep employees informed.
FAQs: Develop a list of frequently asked questions.
BR: Is there anything about AI that communicators should be wary of?
ChatGPT: Yes, here are key considerations:
1. Bias and Fairness
Bias in AI Models: AI models can inherit biases present in their training data, leading to biased or unfair outputs.
Inclusive Language: Ensure that AI-generated content uses inclusive and non-discriminatory language, reflecting the values of diversity and equality.
2. Transparency and Trust
Algorithm Transparency: Understand how AI systems make decisions and be transparent with stakeholders about the use of AI in communications.
Clear Messaging: Clearly indicate when content is AI-generated to maintain transparency and trust with the audience.
3. Ethical Considerations
Ethical Use: Avoid using AI for deceptive practices, such as generating fake news, deepfakes, or misleading content. (note from BR: don’t just avoid it, don’t use them.)
Privacy Concerns: Be mindful of privacy regulations and ethical considerations when using AI to analyze personal data.
4. Over-Reliance on Automation
Human Oversight: While AI can automate many tasks, human oversight is crucial.
Creative Judgment: AI lacks the human touch of creativity and emotional intelligence.
5. Data Security and Integrity
Data Protection: Ensure robust data security measures are in place to protect sensitive information used by AI systems.
Data Quality: High-quality data is essential for effective AI performance.
6. Job Displacement Concerns
Workforce Impact: Be mindful of the potential impact of AI on jobs within the communications field.
Balanced Integration: Integrate AI in a way that complements and enhances human roles rather than replacing them.
7. Dependence on AI
Critical Thinking: Encourage critical thinking and skepticism.
Continuous Learning: AI technology evolves rapidly.
BR: True or false: you're only as good as the prompts you're given?
ChatGPT: True. Well-crafted prompts with clear, detailed, and specific instructions lead to better and more accurate responses.
1. Clarity and Precision
Clear Goals: Specific prompts help me understand the exact requirements, context, and desired outcomes, leading to more relevant and useful responses.
Detailed Instructions: Providing detailed instructions on tone, style, audience, and key points ensures that the output aligns closely with the user's expectations.
2. Context and Relevance
Background Information: Including relevant background information and context in the prompt allows me to tailor the response to the specific situation or topic.
Focused Content: Well-defined prompts help narrow down the focus, preventing broad or generic responses and ensuring the content is targeted and precise.
3. Efficiency
Reduced Iterations: Clear and detailed prompts reduce the need for multiple iterations and revisions, saving time and effort for both the user and me.
Immediate Utility: High-quality prompts lead to immediately useful outputs, enhancing productivity and effectiveness.
Practical Tips for Crafting Effective Prompts:
Be Specific
Provide Context
Define Tone and Style
Ask Direct Questions
BR: Finally, tell us a joke that those in the PR/communications world will appreciate.
ChatGPT: Sure, here's a joke tailored for those in the PR and communications world:
Why did the press release go to therapy? Because it had too many issues!
BR: Ha! Pretty insightful of you.
ChatGPT: I'm glad you enjoyed it! If you have any more questions or need further assistance, feel free to ask. Whether it's more insights, advice, or another joke, I'm here to help!
BR: Actually, I do. Why do younger people not use periods at the end of text messages?
ChatGPT: The trend of younger people not using periods at the end of text messages can be attributed to several cultural and technological factors:
1. Informal Communication Style
Casual Tone: Text messaging is typically more informal than other forms of written communication.
Efficiency: In fast-paced texting, omitting the period saves time and keystrokes.
2. Digital Communication Norms
Implied Endings: In the context of digital communication, the end of a message is often implied by the act of sending it.
Platform Influence: Messaging platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat promote brevity, influencing users to adopt more concise writing habits.
3. Emotional Interpretation
Perception of Finality: Younger people often perceive periods at the end of messages as adding a tone of finality or even abruptness, which can come off as insensitive.
BR: Something communicators of all ages should keep in my then?
ChatGPT: Absolutely, understanding the nuances of digital communication styles is essential for communicators of all ages. Here are some key points to keep in mind:
1. Audience Awareness
2. Tone and Perception
3. Platform Adaptation
4. Generational Preferences
That’s it. The entire, unedited, chat is here.
I’ll be away next week, so look for a new “HOT Takes” in two weeks’ time. Thank you for reading and, as always, your continued support.
Sure, here's a joke tailored for those in the PR and communications world:
Why did the press release go to therapy?
Because it had too many issues!
Ha! Pretty insightful of you
I'm glad you enjoyed it! If you have any more questions or need further assistance, feel free to ask. Whether it's more insights, advice, or another joke, I'm here to help!
Actually, I do. Why do younger people not use periods at the end of text messages
The trend of younger people not using periods at the end of text messages can be attributed to several cultural and technological factors:
1. Informal Communication Style
Casual Tone: Text messaging is typically more informal than other forms of written communication. Dropping the period aligns with a casual and conversational tone.
Efficiency: In fast-paced texting, omitting the period saves time and keystrokes.
2. Digital Communication Norms
Implied Endings: In the context of digital communication, the end of a message is often implied by the act of sending it. Additional punctuation can feel redundant.
Platform Influence: Messaging platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat promote brevity, influencing users to adopt more concise writing habits.
3. Emotional Interpretation
Perception of Finality: Younger people often perceive periods at the end of messages as adding a tone of finality or even abruptness, which can come off as ins
Something communicators of all ages should keep in my then
Absolutely, understanding the nuances of digital communication styles is essential for communicators of all ages. Here are some key points to keep in mind:
1. Audience Awareness
Know Your Audience: Tailor your communication style to your audience. For younger audiences, a more casual and period-free style might feel more natural and relatable.
Context Matters: In professional or formal contexts, traditional punctuation rules are still important for clarity and professionalism.
2. Tone and Perception
Tone Sensitivity: Be aware of how punctuation affects the tone of your message. A period can sometimes be perceived as stern or final, whereas an exclamation point or emoji can convey friendliness.
Consistency: Maintain a consistent tone throughout your communication to avoid confusion and ensure your message is received as intended.
3. Platform Adaptation
Adapt to Platforms: Different communication platforms have different norms. What works in a text message might not be appropriate in an email or formal document.
Brevity and Clarity: Strive for clear and concise communication. Avoid overloading messages with unnecessary punctuation or embellishments.
4. Generational Preferences
Generational Differences: Recognize that different generations may have different communication preferences. Flexibility and adaptability are key.
Educate and Learn: Educate yourself about evolving communication trends and be open to learning from younger colleagues and audiences.
Practical Tips:
Engage with Trends: Stay updated on communication trends and practices across different age groups.
Seek Feedback: Ask for feedback on your communication style from a diverse group of people to ensure it resonates well with various audiences.
Practice Empathy: Approach communication with empathy, understanding that different people may interpret messages in varied ways.
By keeping these considerations in mind, communicators can effectively bridge generational gaps and enhance their ability to connect with diverse audiences.