Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to be a hot topic for communicators – as both a threat and an opportunity to what we do and how we do it. Our very own in-house AI (short for Alan), explores how Microsoft’s entrant into the field could change things up.
By way of a mutual friend, I was recently invited to speak at the East Midlands IC networking group about AI best practice for communicators. It was – as you might expect – quote a lively and well-attended session covering the historical background to AI, real world examples of good (and bad) practice, why it’s become such a big thing, what to look out for, some practical tools and fair bit more besides. Since then, I’ve replayed that mini-masterclass several times for clients – updating it as I go, in step with the ever-changing technology and use-cases.
Alan’s presentation was a fascinating mix of the history of AI and practical tips on ways we, as internal communicators, can incorporate AI into our working lives.
Cathy Power, Internal Communications Manager, Newmedica
Midway through the presentation I refer to the Gartner Hype Cycle. The model illustrates how any technological innovation of a significant size goes through peaks and troughs from what it calls the ‘Peak of Inflated Expectations’ to ‘Plateau of Productivity’ where things become business-as-usual. I think it’s fair to say that last summer we all saw a particular peak in interest in generative AI – and so according to Gartner – we’re probably 18-months away from BAU.
However, that’s not stopping ChatGPT and Microsoft’s new Copilot trying to get there even quicker.
A lot has been said about ChatGPT – but I think Copilot is the more interesting of the two, from an internal communications point-of-view.
Much of my time is spent working with organisations on how to best utilise Microsoft’s 365 suite from an operational and communications point of view – almost always described as ‘getting the intranet right’.
What Microsoft is doing, is putting Copilot right at the centre of Microsoft’s existing, secure, infrastructure. If there are any Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy fans reading this you will remember how Marvin the Paranoid Android was advertised by the Sirius Cybernetics Corporation as ‘Your Plastic Pal Who’s Fun to Be With’. There’s a little of that when Microsoft describes Copilot as ‘Your everyday AI companion’.
There’s a huge amount of truth in that. Copilot will be built into Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams and Loop – and it will be able to answer questions, generate content, translate language, summarise text, provide recommendations, do calculations, and more.
Okay. So, what do we do with that?
The first thing I recommend is to be aware of, have input into and (ideally) write the AI Policy for your organisation. When we consider the four enablers of employee engagement – the two most at risk are Colleague Voice and Organisational Integrity.
How could Colleague Voice be maintained if Copilot starts speaking for everybody – and internal messages become homogenised, depersonalised and (worse still) become a copy of a copy of a copy.
And how can Organisational Integrity be maintained if the CEO’s blog isn’t written by the CEO, their voice is created from Copilot from a script, and it’s AI responding in their place on the colleague forum.
Gartner says that summer 2025 is when AI use becomes BAU for organisations.
However, I think 2024 is the year when we have to decide for ourselves what we want that to look like.
If you’d like an introduction to AI, or want to hear from our very own Al, book your mini-masterclass here.
Leave A Comment