Unlocking AI potential: Survey calls for clear communication strategies

A new global survey by WE Communications, an integrated communications agency, reveals a significant gap between executives' high expectations for AI and their organisations' concrete plans for communicating its adoption. While 83% of surveyed business decision-makers (including C-suite executives, senior management, and executive directors) are optimistic about AI's potential, less than half (37%) have established programmes to amplify its impact.

The survey, titled "Bridging the AI Expectation Gap: Effective Communication Strategies," polled 2,900 executives and technology business decision-makers to understand how AI is impacting organisational culture, trust, and business communications.

Key Findings:

Vision-Action Gap: Despite high optimism, most organizations lack a plan to fully capitalize on AI's potential. Only 17% are actively changing current behaviors to fully leverage AI's impact.

AI Communications Imperative: While recognizing the importance of clear communication, only 37% actively communicate AI's benefits internally.
Call for Collective Transparency: Nearly three-quarters (74%) of respondents believe their organizations should be more transparent about AI use compared to vendors and partners.

AI Opportunities: Customer service (47%) is seen as the area most likely to benefit from AI adoption, followed by Marketing & Communications (46%) and Product Development (45%).

AI Concerns: Security risks (92%) top concerns around AI adoption, followed by over-reliance on AI (58%) and job displacement (52%).

Effective Communication is Key:

The survey underscores the critical role of effective communication in driving AI adoption. WE Communications offers a range of services to help organizations bridge the AI expectation gap, including:

AI Engagement & Communications Strategy Development
Company Transformation Narrative Refresh
Executive Communications & Thought Leadership
Crisis & Issues Preparedness Plan Updates
AI Narrative Workshops & Storymaking
Executive AI Platform

Organisations must act quickly to engage stakeholders with clear and compelling communication about AI. By bridging the expectation gap, companies can lead their employees and customers through a new era of AI-driven innovation and growth.