Communicators, will the machines replace us?
“Like with all technological revolutions, I expect there to be significant impact on jobs, but exactly what that impact looks like is very difficult to predict.”
That was the testimony on May 16, 2023 by Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, the developer of the AI language model known as ChatGPT.
ChatGPT, Google Bard and other language models hit right at the heart of those of us who work in communications. What will be the impact of a tool that can generate content in seconds? Will AI replace employee communications departments? Will ChatGPT replace writers?
I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately. I’d jotted down some notes about why I thought communicators – both staff and consultants like RNB – would probably always be around. And then, yep, I did it. I chatted with ChatGPT and asked what it thought about all this.
It was an eye-opening exercise, and a bit creepy too, because ChatGPT and I “agree” on quite a lot!
We both “believe” that it’s the human communicators whose deep understanding of organizational culture, values and nuances enable them to craft and execute internal communication strategies, foster employee engagement and promote a positive culture.
We “share” an understanding that communicators handle confidential information, navigate sensitive and complex situations, and ensure tailored messages resonate with employees on an emotional level.
We “agree” that effective communication relies on human qualities including critical thinking, skill, judgment, empathy, and adaptability. Only humans can adjust and respond quickly to changes. And the human touch is needed when dealing with sensitive topics or feedback.
And we were completely “aligned” on the fact that human communicators are the sparks of creativity who use their expertise and knowledge to do the unique storytelling for their organizations.
Can we get along with the machines?
ChatGPT and other AI are here, and more are coming. I don’t believe communicators can alienate (!) this technology altogether. Perhaps it will have value in helping us gather our thoughts and basic information. It might be a shortcut to a rough first draft or for basic proofreading. We could be friends? How reliable will they actually be, though?
Although I remain open and wary at the same time, even my ChatGPT “pal” responded with this observation. “The collaboration between human writers and AI can enhance efficiency, accuracy, and productivity, but human expertise and creativity remain crucial for effective employee communications.”
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