“Alexa, how is AI helping us communicate?”
In a recent survey, when asked to select which sectors will be most disrupted by AI over the next five years, respondents chose communications (81%), healthcare services (74%), consumer and at-home technology (72%), and social media and networking (61%).
With the progressive world, we’re in, there’s almost nothing that machines cannot do. If the machines are trained in a way so they can identify how an audience will react in a certain situation, keeping in mind the factors and elements that make communication effective, then data science and algorithms can be used to build an extremely intelligent machine that can improve the way we communicate. The reactions include those of trust, engagement, listening, and acting, etc. The elements and factors comprise how words are used, voice modulation, and gestures.
The machines, that are basically an analytics platform, are trained on the factors that qualify as the best-in-class, e.g. what are the traits of a great leadership communicator, what constitutes a trustworthy person, etc. Then the process of optimization of communication is carried out based on these factors.
The goal of any communication is to influence the audience/ listener in some way. With enough resources invested in test audiences, focus groups, and certain media monitoring platforms, you may begin to get an answer to the question that is if this method of communication will have the desired effect. Unfortunately, these costly, time-consuming methods are out of the realm of possibility for many companies, and most individuals.
However, developments in technology and data science have led to a new kind of AI — where you can simulate an audience, empowering you to identify in an objective and efficient way, how your message and delivery will land.
With respect to communication and messaging around AI, building the right kind of trust in the AI services of the future will be key. In some sectors, AI will need to be able to justify the decisions/conclusions it arrived at, in the same way, a banker can tell you why you were given or turned down for a loan today.
AI is only just starting to build momentum, yet over half of global consumers (56%) already say that it needs more regulation and restrictions. This concern that the technology is spiraling out of control presents the biggest communications challenge AI will face between now and 2025. Nevertheless, the future of communication with the use of AI seems promising and it will be interesting to see whatever that follows.
