In one of our recent DeHavilland Masterclasses, Nick Reid, Policy Lead at CoreWeave, shared how AI is actively shaping his day-to-day work across multiple markets. The final message is clear: AI is not replacing public affairs, but it is changing how it is done.
Here are 10 key takeaways on why public affairs professionals need to start using AI.
1. AI can give professionals valuable time back
If used correctly, AI can help with freeing up meaningful time, taking away lower-impact and less important tasks.
AI can act as a well-trained intern: it can help with drafting letters, responding to emails, putting together frameworks of strategy documents, providing advice for internal formats and summarising long content into clear insights and bullet points.
None of this replaces the professional, but it supports them, giving them time that can be spent where it matters the most.
2. AI can help public affairs think
AI can act as a sounding board for messaging.
This means that public affairs can interact with AI so that it delivers the best messaging for their stakeholders, ensuring that it not only aligns with their organisation, but is also clear and effective.
With AI, public affairs can develop a set of messages, ask AI to take on the role of a specific stakeholder, test where that stakeholder might challenge or push back and eventually refine messaging accordingly.
3. The more AI is used, the better it becomes
Many public affairs professionals think that using AI once in a while can deliver the same level of content as using it more regularly. The more time is invested in it, the more it adapts to the professional’s needs, their topics and their way of working.
Over time, it becomes more effective at delivering the kind of outputs that public affairs are looking for.
4. Being authentic is still important
Authenticity is a key factor when it comes to public affairs. The messaging should always be reviewed by the public affairs professional in charge so that it truly reflects their main messages, their style and their own tone.
Public affairs professionals should make sure they use language that feels natural to them and reflects how they operate.
Checking what AI delivers should happen at every stage: before, during and after using AI.
5. Data, accuracy and AI
A common question many people have is how the AI system uses and stores information public affairs feeds into it.
With AI, there are two risks to consider:
1) Data input: What is the type of data that you feed into the system? Only non-confidential and non-sensitive information should be included. Internal or confidential documents should not be uploaded into public AI systems.
2) Accuracy of the output: AI can make mistakes, so it is always important to double check that the output makes sense and is properly verified.
6. Quality of the AI outcome
Despite AI being very good at generating content, it is important to consider that too much communication can be an important risk factor for the target audience.
The “quality over quantity” rule is the most important in this case. This way public affairs communication can be targeted, relevant, and linked to your stakeholders’ interests.
7. Avoiding bias with AI
AI can only reflect bias depending on how it processes information. The best practice in this case for public affairs is to rely on their own experience and expertise, to review the results with critical judgement, and to use different tools if needed.
It is also good practice to ask for a review from a colleague or someone external.
8. AI helps you understand complex topics more easily
Public affairs professionals often need to explain complex or technical topics to non-expert audiences, including policymakers and stakeholders.
AI can help simplify this process by explaining complex material and language in a clear and accessible way. This way technical concepts become easier to understand, making sure that the final messaging is effective and relevant for the target audience.
9. For public affairs operating across different regions
If you operate across different countries, AI can really support with initial insights.
AI can help in setting out how the different governments operate, identifying key organisations and what the main government departments and agencies are providing as a useful starting point for stakeholder mapping.
10. Don’t forget…
AI is becoming a key tool in the public affairs profession, creating lots of opportunities to gain time back spent on more useful tasks, to think more clearly, and to generate accessible content. But it comes with responsibilities.
When using AI, it’s important to double check any outcome, be careful about the uploaded data and to always focus on authenticity that reflects how public affairs operates.
DeHavilland’s service is now available through the Helio platform, which utilises AI to support our in-house analysts and improve your workflow and efficiency.
Do not miss our next DeHavilland Masterclasses
At DeHavilland, we bring together public affairs professionals to share practical tips and real-world experience.
We cover everything from policy engagement to core public affairs skills, as well as industry-specific insights. All sessions allow for attendees to ask questions and develop their understanding of the touchpoints for engaging with policy and legislation. Sign up now so you never miss our masterclasses.
