The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) has introduced a number of communication challenges. AI technologies are often complex and tend to come with a lot of intricate technical details, making them difficult for the general public to understand.
Additionally, there’s been growing skepticism surrounding AI, from concerns about potential job losses to existential threats to humanity. In this kind of environment, effective communication from AI companies is more important than ever. Public relations can serve as a powerful tool to build trust, credibility, and understanding.
Complex concepts simplified
AI often involves intricate technical details that can be challenging for the general public to grasp. PR professionals can successfully translate complex information into clear, concise, and engaging messages.
Building trust and credibility
In a world filled with skepticism regarding AI, building trust is key. PR helps establish credibility by highlighting the benefits of AI, addressing concerns, and showcasing real-world applications.
Managing reputation
As AI technologies rapidly advance, there’s an increased risk of negative publicity. PR can help mitigate crises, protect brand reputation, and shape public perception.
Storytelling
PR is inherently about storytelling. By framing AI as a solution to real-world problems, PR professionals can create compelling narratives that resonate with audiences.
Leveraging media relationships
PR professionals have strong relationships with journalists and influencers. This can be invaluable for securing media coverage and reaching a wider audience.
Specific PR tactics for AI
PR can use AI in media relations to pitch stories, conduct media interviews, and manage media inquiries. It can be useful to position AI experts as thought leaders through articles, blog posts, and speaking engagements. PR professionals can develop strategies to address potential negative publicity or controversies.
Another way would be to use social media platforms to engage with audiences, build a community, and share AI-related content. Lastly, PR professionals can help develop collaborations with influencers who promote AI products or services.
Effective communication
As AI technologies continue to evolve, effective communication will become even more important for AI companies. PR will play a key role in this effort. AI companies can use PR to build trust, credibility, and understanding.
In addition to traditional PR tactics, AI companies can leverage new and emerging communication channels. For example, social media can be used to engage with audiences in real time, and chatbots can provide customer support and answer questions about AI.
Putting PR into action
An example of how PR can help AI is to think of a company that’s developed a new AI-powered medical diagnostic tool. This tool can analyze medical images with high accuracy, aiding doctors in diagnosing diseases earlier and more effectively, for instance. The company could use PR to communicate the benefits of its new tool in several ways.
It could issue a press release announcing the launch of the new tool and then pitch stories to journalists about AI’s potential to revolutionize healthcare. The company could work with a PR agency to organize and host a webinar for doctors to learn more about the tool and partner with a patient advocacy group to raise awareness of the tool.