Exploring AI's Impact on PR: My Transformative Semester at Kennesaw State University

This past semester at Kennesaw State University, I had the opportunity to learn about artificial intelligence and how it is used by PR professionals. The course itself offered a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical applications. One of the highlights of the course was the lineup of guest speakers from various industries; each provided unique insights into how AI is reshaping their fields. Our class was visited by Olivea McCollins from Microsoft, Mark Dvorak from Golin, and two representatives from Jackson Spalding. Each speaker brought knowledge and real-world examples of AI to the students. Olivea McCollins from Microsoft shared fascinating insights into how AI is being leveraged to enhance productivity and innovation within Microsoft. Mark Dvorak from Golin provided a different perspective, focusing on AI in public relations. He discussed how AI tools analyze media trends, predict crisis outcomes, and even draft press releases. The two representatives from Jackson Spalding focused on the creative side of AI. They demonstrated how AI is now being utilized to create compelling visuals and multimedia content. They even shared AI-generated images that they used for their most recent client.

A significant portion of our coursework involved using AI to create images, videos, and writing pieces. This hands-on approach allowed us to directly apply what we learned in class. We used tools like DALL-E for image generation, which was both fun and challenging. The experience of instructing an AI to create visuals based on textual descriptions felt like peeking into the future of design and creativity. For videos, we experimented with AI video generators that can produce short clips based on scripts we wrote. This exercise highlighted the growing role of AI in content creation, offering a glimpse into how marketing and communication strategies might evolve. In writing, we used AI to assist in drafting articles and social media posts. Despite the impressive coherence and contextual relevance of the AI-generated texts, it was clear there was still a need for a human touch.

Overall, my AI class at KSU gave me incredible knowledge of the evolving field of artificial intelligence. The guest speakers, hands-on projects, and critical discussions provided a comprehensive understanding of AI in public relations. As AI continues to advance, it's clear that it will play an increasingly significant role in shaping the future of PR. I'm excited to say that I am now one step ahead of the game.