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AI & Communications: What Americans Think in 2025

The State of Adoption

• 97% of companies plan to use AI in customer communications by 2025 (Sinch).
• Communications teams already use AI for drafting, summaries, and audience insights.
• Human oversight remains essential to maintain accuracy, tone, and trust.

Public Sentiment: Open but Cautious

• 66% of people use AI regularly, but only 46% say they trust it (KPMG).
• 80% want companies to disclose when AI is used in communications (Smart Communications).
• 81% believe a human should review AI-generated content.
• Comfort is highest among Gen Z & Millennials, noticeably lower among older adults.
• 52% feel comfortable using personal AI assistants for everyday tasks (YouGov/Zendesk).

What This Means for Communicators

1. Transparency = Trust
   Disclose AI usage clearly. Hidden AI breaks credibility.
2. Use AI for Scale, Not Voice
   AI accelerates production, but humans must own tone and nuance.
3. Build Guardrails
   Set rules for review, accuracy checks, and escalation for sensitive messaging.
4. Human-in-the-Loop Wins
   The most trusted communication blends AI efficiency with human judgment.

Bottom Line

AI is now embedded in communications, but trust isn’t automatic. Organizations that win will be those that use AI openly, responsibly, and with human oversight.

Preparing for Communications Risks

As we approach the end of 2025, organizations have faced a rapidly shifting communications landscape. Social media amplification, misinformation, and cyber risks continue to challenge reputations and stakeholder trust. Reflecting on lessons from this year, here are three key priorities for organizations to focus on in the final months of 2025:

1. Strengthen Crisis Preparedness
Organizations that maintain agile, cross-functional crisis teams are responding more effectively to emerging risks. Communications, legal, IT, and operations teams should continue scenario-based exercises, clarify decision-making authority, and refine response protocols to stay ahead of potential crises.

2. Enhance Real-Time Monitoring
Misinformation and reputational risks can escalate quickly. Investing in social listening, media monitoring, and AI-driven analytics allows organizations to detect issues early and act proactively. Monitoring systems should be continuously evaluated to ensure they capture emerging trends and conversations relevant to your brand.

3. Prioritize Transparent Communication
Trust is built through clarity and consistency. Preparing key messages, training spokespeople, and maintaining open channels with stakeholders ensures organizations can respond quickly and authentically. Demonstrating accountability in the face of challenges strengthens credibility and reduces long-term reputational impact.

As 2025 draws to a close, focusing on these three priorities positions organizations to navigate risks with confidence and enter 2026 stronger. Preparation, vigilance, and transparency remain the best strategies for protecting reputation and maintaining stakeholder trust.

The Season for Sharper Messaging

October reminds us that communication is seasonal — not just in tone, but in strategy. With attention spans shorter and news cycles faster than ever, organizations must focus on clarity, consistency, and timing.

Lessons from VA and NJ Races

This month’s political races in Virginia and New Jersey highlight these lessons. Candidates who maintain disciplined, audience-focused messaging cut through the noise, while those who allowed mixed signals or reactive statements to dominate found themselves on the defensive. Every ad, press release, and social post will become a test of precision and resonance.

Why It Matters for Leaders

For businesses and leaders, the takeaway is clear: messaging matters now more than ever. Whether responding to breaking news, launching a campaign, or navigating complex stakeholder landscapes, clear, consistent communication can build trust and credibility — or erode it overnight.

October Checklist for Your Messaging

As we move toward the final months of 2025, consider this your reminder: audit your messaging, ensure alignment across channels, and anticipate the narratives shaping your audiences’ perceptions. In a fast-moving world, disciplined communication is the ultimate advantage.

Staying Ahead: The Imperative of Proactive Crisis Communication

Why September Matters

As organizations ramp up initiatives after summer slowdowns, September is often when reputations are tested — new campaigns launch, budgets shift, and external scrutiny increases. Now more than ever, leaders need to anticipate communication challenges before they escalate.

The Power of Proactivity

Reactive communication is no longer enough. Today’s audiences — amplified by social media and 24/7 news cycles — expect transparency, speed, and clarity. Organizations that prepare for potential crises, create clear response protocols, and pre-craft key messages can manage narratives instead of being managed by them.

Lessons in Real Time

From corporate product recalls to local government updates, the difference between a well-managed message and a misstep can be millions in lost trust or resources. September is a reminder that consistent monitoring, rapid response, and credible communication are not optional—they’re strategic imperatives.

Your September Checklist

Audit your crisis communication plan, identify potential weak spots, and brief teams on messaging priorities. Preparedness now prevents chaos later, ensuring your organization can respond with authority, not apology.

Cut Through the Summer Noise: Engaging Audiences When Attention is Scarce

The August Challenge

August is a unique month in communications: audiences are distracted by vacations, seasonal events, and shifting routines. Messages that would normally land can easily be overlooked. For leaders and organizations, the challenge is simple: how do you maintain engagement when attention is at a premium?

Timing and Relevance are Everything

The key lies in understanding your audience’s mindset. Prioritize clarity, brevity, and relevance. Short, visually engaging content and strategic timing can dramatically improve message retention. August is the perfect month to test messaging approaches and fine-tune what resonates before the busy fall cycle begins.

Consistency Builds Trust

Even during slow periods, consistent communication reinforces credibility. A few well-timed updates, thought leadership pieces, or audience check-ins can keep your organization top-of-mind without overwhelming recipients.

Your August Checklist

Audit ongoing campaigns, schedule high-impact updates, and ensure messaging aligns across channels. Use August to prepare for September’s momentum, so when audiences return from summer breaks, your communications land with clarity and authority.

Positioning Your Message Ahead of Fiscal Year-End

July: The Mid-Year Checkpoint

July is more than summer—it’s a strategic moment for organizations to assess communications as the fiscal year-end approaches. Boards, investors, employees, and stakeholders begin looking for clear insights into performance, priorities, and outcomes. The messages you prepare now will shape perceptions through the final quarter.

Align Messaging with Strategic Goals

Successful year-end communications start with alignment. Finance updates, operational highlights, and leadership priorities should not exist in isolation. Coordinating messaging across departments ensures stakeholders receive a cohesive narrative that reinforces confidence and credibility.

Transparency Builds Trust

Stakeholders respond to clarity. Early communication about progress, challenges, and anticipated results can prevent surprises and foster engagement. July is the ideal time to identify potential gaps or misalignments in your messaging and address them proactively.

Your July Checklist

• Review and synchronize internal and external messaging plans.

• Identify key metrics and achievements to highlight.

• Prepare preliminary communications for investors, employees, and partners.

• Train spokespeople on consistent talking points for year-end discussions.

By taking these steps now, your organization can enter the final months of the fiscal year with clear, credible, and compelling communications that reinforce trust and strategic positioning.