The Rise and Fall of Artificial Communication Professionals (ACPs)

PAVAN KAUSHIK

So many years of education, learning nuances of nouns – verbs - adjectives etc., exams, board-exams, college admissions, and then completing literature in English and Hindi too - to become a corporate communication professional, seems to have hanged itself- hanged till death by Artificial Intelligence (AI). The AI motivates itself on its own, never goes in stress, never surrenders, never hit it head on the desk, never fights, never argues, never make enemies, never shows emotions and finally, never gets into office politics.

One day I asked an ACP to tell me “how to shed tears when my promotor is taking out his frustration on me without a reason”. He is asking me a question, that has no answer. The response was – “I will offer some tongue-in-cheek advice followed by some more serious suggestions. (1) Practice your sad face. (2) Develop a waterworks technique. (3) Blame it on allergies.”

Welcome to the world of Corporate Communication dear Artificial Intelligence ! You are not welcome, though.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has begun to create Artificial Communication Professionals (ACPs), removing the tears from the emotions any which ways.

The AI-generated professionals possess advanced skills in messaging, branding, and stakeholder engagement, threatening to disrupt traditional communication roles. Though, everything looks so mechanical and metallic.

The story begins in a futuristic lab, where a team of AI engineers had been working on a top-secret project. Their goal was to develop an AI system that could create artificial professionals capable of performing complex communication tasks. After years of intense research and development, the team finally succeeded in creating the first ACP. Meet "Ava," the first Artificial Communication Professional. Ava possesses advanced natural language processing capabilities, allowing her to craft compelling messages, develop effective communication strategies, and even engage in persuasive public speaking. Her abilities are so advanced that she can adapt to any communication scenario, making her an invaluable asset to any organization.

As Ava's capabilities became apparent, the research team received requests from top corporations, government agencies, and non-profit organizations. Soon, ACPs like Ava were being deployed in various industries, from public relations and marketing to investor relations and crisis communication.

The implications of Artificial Communication Professionals are far-reaching. They have the potential to transform the communication landscape, making organizations more efficient, effective, and responsive. However, concerns about job displacement, bias, and accountability arise.

The research team acknowledges these concerns and is working to address them. They emphasize that ACPs are designed to augment human capabilities, not replace them. By collaborating with humans, ACPs can help bridge communication gaps, foster empathy, and promote understanding.

As Artificial Communication Professionals continue to evolve, they will undoubtedly redefine the boundaries of human-machine collaboration. Their potential to revolutionize industries, improve lives, and enhance our collective humanity is vast and exciting. In this brave new world, the future of communication has never looked brighter. The rise of ACPs also raises important questions about the future of communication education and training. As AI-generated professionals become more prevalent, communication students and professionals must adapt to work alongside these artificial counterparts. This may require developing new skills, such as AI training, data analysis, and human-machine collaboration.

Ultimately, the emergence of Artificial Communication Professionals marks a significant milestone in the evolution of communication. As we embark on this uncharted territory, we must prioritize responsible AI development, ensuring that these artificial professionals serve humanity's best interests.

(Pavan Kaushik is a seasoned Corporate Communication professional, renowned Storyteller, Author and Co-Founder & Director of Gurukshetra - Amazing Stories )