THE TRUST TRANSFER: HOW AI IS RESHAPING THE COMMUNICATIONS TEAM

By Ray Day

Today, 57% of CEOs would choose a custom-trained AI speechwriter over a professional human speechwriter, based on the latest HarrisX & Ragan survey of communications and business leaders (Survey Link).

Let that sink in. We're witnessing a fundamental shift in executive confidence that extends far beyond efficiency gains.

Unsurprisingly, these data reveal a profession at an inflection point. With 95% of organizations already using AI in communications work and 96% reporting positive impact, artificial intelligence isn't coming to communications; it’s here, reshaping how leaders think about value creation.

The pace of change is breathtaking. Today, 30% of communications leaders say they’re using AI to do more than half of their work. By 2030, that figure is expected to jump to 55%.

Yet here's where the findings become a blueprint for this profession: When forced to choose where communications delivers the most value, CEOs rank in-house teams first (46%), and AI platforms second (31%). This isn't a verdict — it's an opportunity. The communicators who thrive will be those who understand that, with any new technology, it’s about HUMAN + MACHINE = A BETTER WORLD. The human leads the way – and will continue to do so.

In fact, data suggest business leaders see human integration as vital to success. CEOs overwhelmingly value the communications function — 83% say they value it "very much" — and they're crystal clear about what they want from communicators. Strategic thinking tops the list at 42%, followed by creative problem-solving at 40%. AI fluency? It’s dead last at just 18%.

Even more revealing: there's a gap that showcases the irreplaceable value of communications’ experience and intuition. While 58% of CEOs believe their organizations speak up too much, 59% of communications leaders think their organizations should selectively speak up more. This disconnect isn't a problem. It's precisely why seasoned communications professionals matter. They possess the frontline experience and institutional intuition to know when executive caution might be misplaced, when silence sends the wrong message and when organizations need to find their voice even when leadership prefers quiet.

Here's our take: The future belongs to communicators who can harness AI's speed and scale while delivering the strategic insight, creative spark and human intuition that no algorithm can replicate. Those who view AI as a threat will be left behind. Those who embrace it as a powerful collaborator will thrive.

At Allison, we use AI not merely as a productivity tool, but as a strategic lens that helps clients "see around corners," anticipating cultural shifts, identifying emerging risks and opportunities, and positioning companies ahead of change before competitors even recognize what's coming.

By combining AI's speed and analytical power with our team's judgment, experience and creative spark, we help clients move faster, think bigger and anticipate what's next. This isn't about efficiency alone; it's about turning intelligence into competitive advantage, transforming data into foresight, and converting insight into action.

We never have been more excited about the future of communications, and we are fully embracing AI as our wingman to lead the way!

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