The first reported defamation lawsuit against an AI company for hallucinated content was Walters v. OpenAI, filed in 2023. The substance of the case — that ChatGPT generated a false claim about the plaintiff in response to a journalist's query — is a category that has only grown
The internal-external gap in corporate communications is a growing problem. This article explores why employee communications are the new front line for reputation, detailing common misalignment patterns, structural changes contributing to the issue, and practical strategies for achieving internal-external alignment. It also debunks ineffective approaches and emphasizes the strategic importance of integrated internal and external communication.
Social media crises are decision problems before they are communication problems. The first 24 hours decide whether the situation contains or escalates. The operating sequence — triage, assessment, statement, alignment, recovery.
How AI engines persist healthcare crisis narratives for 12-18 months, replacing the traditional news-cycle half-life. The new response window is 2-4 weeks. Source dominance beats message dominance. Theranos, Purdue, J&J, and prestige-name case examples.
The Reputation Recovery Playbook outlines how individuals and organizations can recover from public disgrace. It details the infrastructure required, the importance of sustained behavior change, and the strategic steps involved over an extended timeline, contrasting effective recovery methods with common pitfalls.
The consensus advice for chief executives during contested public moments has shifted. What was once a clear directive to speak up and demonstrate values has now become a nuanced decision. Today, saying something could be worse than saying nothing, leading to divided, polarized, or hostile responses. Learn how to navigate this new landscape.
Reputational damage compounds across 14 days, stabilizing in retrieval systems and editorial archives. Most firms lack a Day 1 plan, yet early decisions are critical to navigating this crisis window and avoiding permanent damage.
The Anthropic Hermes incident was a three-week crisis triggered by a billing bug that went viral. This case study examines the communications strategy—what worked, what failed, and operational lessons for AI platform teams managing technical crises in public.
Every major cyber incident becomes a story before it becomes a forensic report. Stakeholders judge what happened by how it was explained. The Trust Equation — trust lost = impact × perception of response. Why cybersecurity PR is operational defense, not adjacent support.
Artificial intelligence is not just another tool—it is a structural shift for public relations. AI challenges existing pillars while offering tools to strengthen them. The tension lies in how the industry chooses to respond. In the end, AI does not change what public relations is meant to do. It amplifies it. It raises expectations. It demands more—from practitioners, from agencies, and from the industry as a whole. And that is not a threat. It is an opportunity.