Improving communication with AI

When a particular piece of technology is in a stage of hype – and few technologies have been as hyped as AI – futurist Amy Webb explains that it hasn’t yet reached mainstream adoption. Once it becomes mainstream, the hype fades, and the technology quietly becomes part of everyday life. Consider the pre-COVID era, when “digital transformation” was the day’s buzzword. Invitations for me to speak at leadership seminars often required a focus on digital transformation, as everyone speculated about its potential. Now, nearly no one mentions it–not because it vanished, but because COVID-19 accelerated digital adoption so rapidly that transformation became a standard practice, not a visionary concept.

Similarly, when Sam Altman introduced ChatGPT on Nov. 30, 2022, it quickly gained widespread attention due to its impressive conversational abilities and ease of use. The platform attracted over a million users within days, fueling a significant wave of interest and discussion around AI. (A topic discussed in this column shortly after.) The hype around AI reached a fever pitch, with dystopian fears of “thinking computers” threatening humanity. The Terminator’s image resurfaced in popular imagination, casting AI as a potentially dangerous force. However, now the hype is quieting, replaced by a more pragmatic view of AI as companies and organizations adopt and incorporate it into everyday operations. The shift signals a maturing perspective on AI’s role and possibilities in business and society.

Effective communication is the cornerstone of strong leadership, and in today’s rapidly changing landscape, staying relevant requires embracing new tools. In my Level Up Leadership programs, I emphasize how leaders can use AI to enhance their communication – an essential skill in today’s fast-evolving landscape.

The good news is that you do not have to become an AI whiz kid or enroll in a computer school. The key is understanding how artificial intelligence can enhance your communication skills. Due to space limitations in this column, we will focus on leveraging AI to sharpen your skills.

Enhance writing

Long gone are the days of basic spell-checkers. Advanced tools like Grammarly and ChatGPT help draft, edit and refine emails and reports, improving clarity, tone, and impact. But beware: over-relying on these tools can make your communication sound robotic.

Elevate your writing by doing the following:

Utilize AI-powered writing assistants to generate ideas, draft content, and refine your writing style.

Let AI tools analyze your writing for tone, clarity, and potential biases, ensuring your message is inclusive and impactful.

While AI can enhance your writing, always remember to inject your unique personality and style. Use AI as a tool, not a replacement for your creativity.

Improve engagement

When meeting clients or conducting Training Needs Analyses on platforms like Zoom, Microsoft Teams and Google Meet, I use tools like Otter.ai and Limitless AI to capture notes automatically. These tools provide a full transcript, summary, and even action points, allowing me to focus entirely on the conversation rather than scrambling to keep up with handwritten notes. This approach enhances my engagement and the quality of the interaction.

Leaders don’t need to be AI experts, but they need a clear grasp of AI’s capabilities and limitations. In technology, two types of people stand out: those who understand what they manage and those who manage what they don’t fully understand. You’ve likely heard the adage, “If AI doesn’t replace your job, someone more skilled at using it might.”

AI is no longer a futuristic concept – it’s woven into everyday interactions. Today’s AI hype remains high, mainly because this “General Purpose Technology” is poised to integrate into nearly every aspect of our work and daily lives.

The future of successful communication lies in a synergy between powerful AI tools and genuine human connection. Leaders who embrace this partnership will elevate their communication skills, stay relevant, and lead the way in the AI-powered workplace.

Last story: Google has a purchase recommendation feature powered by AI. It essentially looks over your shoulder when you are on the computer. It scans your emails and sees what you are doing online, what sites you frequent, who you talk to, what you talk about, and what you spend your money on. Then it tells you what you should do with your money.

A businessman friend was not interested at all. He reasons: “I don’t need that. I have a wife. And she is many times more effective than AI.”

(Francis Kong’s “Inspiring Excellence” podcast is now available on Spotify, Apple, Google, or other podcast streaming platforms).