Thursday, June 12, 2025
Thursday, June 12, 2025
By Dan Sodergren:
Internal communication has never been more critical—or more complex. In a world where hybrid work is the norm, AI is reshaping workflows, and employees are drowning in information overload, internal communication professionals are at the heart of some of the biggest workplace challenges.
And yet, too often, comms teams find themselves fighting for resources, struggling with outdated technology, and battling leadership buy-in..
The question isn’t whether AI, automation, and digital platforms will change internal communication—they already have. The real challenge is how we use them to enhance human connection rather than dilute it.
🔹 As I often say: “We need to bring the HUMANE back into human resources.”
So, how do internal comms professionals navigate this AI-powered era while cutting through the noise, proving their strategic value, and ensuring technology enhances rather than replaces human connection?
That’s exactly what I explore in The AI Leader’s Guide—how leaders and communicators can use AI to support people-first workplaces, not just automate them.
Technology is increasingly seen as both the biggest opportunity and the biggest frustration for internal comms professionals – a theme echoed through surveys conducted by the likes of Gallagher, LumApps, and ContactMonkey,
🔹 “AI’s a tool, not a rule.”
While AI, automation, and digital platforms can streamline workflows, unreliable tech, outdated systems, and poor adoption strategies often create more problems than they solve. AI should be an enabler of better communication—not another layer of noise or confusion.
✅ #AutomatedInterns for Content Management – AI can help filter, prioritize, and schedule content, ensuring employees get the most relevant updates without being bombarded.
✅ #CognitiveColleagues for Insight & Strategy – AI-driven analytics can track engagement, sentiment, and message effectiveness, helping communicators refine their approach.
✅ AI-Powered Chatbots for FAQs – Automating basic employee queries frees up internal comms teams to focus on more strategic messaging.
📘 The AI Leader’s Guide breaks down how AI can be integrated into leadership and communication in a way that empowers people, rather than replacing them.
What is the research finding to be a crucial challenge for employees? Content overload. Employees are overwhelmed with emails, Slack messages, and endless updates—making it harder than ever to cut through the clutter.
🔹 “More mindful – less grindful.”
The best internal communicators focus on curating, not just creating, content. Instead of bombarding employees with more messages, AI can help:
✅ Prioritize what matters most—intelligently filtering information based on individual roles and priorities.
✅ Deliver just-in-time communication—ensuring employees get information when they need it, not when it’s convenient to send it.
✅ Personalize messaging—using AI to tailor content to specific teams, locations, or even individuals for maximum relevance.
🔹 “If AI takes the task, take the strategy.”
By automating the noise, internal communicators can focus on what truly matters—engagement, storytelling, and strategic influence.
The research is also identifying a major challenge for communication professionals: a lack of leadership buy-in.
🔹 “We have to learn to manage AI before AI manages us.” (Dan Sodergren)
Too many leaders see internal comms as an afterthought or an admin function, rather than a strategic business driver. Yet, in times of uncertainty, employees look to leadership for guidance, clarity, and trust—and internal comms is how that trust is built.
📘 The AI Leader’s Guide provides practical frameworks for making AI-powered leadership more human-centered, helping communication professionals demonstrate their value at the highest levels.
✅ Coach leaders to be better communicators—helping middle managers deliver clear, empathetic messaging.
✅ Use AI-driven engagement analytics—proving which messages resonate, drive action, and build trust.
✅ Ensure leadership messaging is consistent—using automation to align messaging across multiple channels without losing authenticity.
🔹 “Machines may learn, but trust we earn.” (Dan Sodergren)
Leaders who engage with internal comms as a strategic function—rather than a megaphone—will build stronger, more resilient teams.
The rise of hybrid work and AI-driven collaboration means that internal communication is no longer about just sending information—it’s about shaping culture.
🔹 “Shift the role, keep the goal.” (Dan Sodergren)
📘 Hybrid & Happy explores how internal comms can be the glue that holds hybrid teams together—helping employees feel connected, engaged, and valued, no matter where they work.
✅ Creating digital-first communication cultures—so remote and in-office workers have equal access to information.
✅ Using AI for asynchronous collaboration—ensuring global teams stay aligned without constant meetings or email chains.
✅ Maintaining a strong employer brand internally—so employees feel proud, motivated, and part of a shared mission.
🔹 “Own the AI, don’t let AI own you.” (Dan Sodergren)
Companies that embed AI into their communication strategies while keeping the human connection strong will be the ones that win in the hybrid work era.
Internal communication is at a crossroads. Technology offers unprecedented opportunities, but the real challenge is using it in a way that strengthens trust, engagement, and belonging—rather than adding to the noise.
🔹 “AI won’t replace you—someone using AI will.” (Dan Sodergren)
The future belongs to communication professionals who master AI—not as a replacement for human connection, but as a tool to enhance it.
✅ Use AI to automate tasks, not relationships—freeing up time for more strategic, high-impact work.
✅ Be the trusted advisor to leadership—demonstrating that internal comms isn’t just about messaging—it’s about culture.
✅ Cut through the noise with smart content strategies—prioritizing clarity, personalization, and just-in-time delivery.
✅ Embrace hybrid work and digital-first communication—so teams stay connected no matter where they are.
📘 For deeper insights into AI-powered leadership and communication, check ou a couple of my books which are key for this topic:
🔹 The AI Leader’s Guide – AI’s role in leadership, trust, and people-first workplaces.
🔹 Hybrid & Happy – The blueprint for communication success in the hybrid work era.
I covered this and more in my keynote at IoIC 2022, and have spoken about the future of AI and work at many events like CommsRebel in 2023 and CommsHero in 2024. And on many different podcasts, including Exploring our increasingly digital work futures.
As well as helping organisations,especially in internal communications with their AI training and transformation. For more information see my new idea here.
For more insights, visit www.dansodergren.com or follow me on LinkedIn and sign up for my newsletter about the future of work – The Fifth Industrial Revolution and You. .
Keynote speaker, corporate trainer, TedxTalker, and author. Ex marketing agency owner and serial tech startup co-founder, Dan Sodergren is a digital marketing and technology expert who specialises in the future of work and AI.He works on the BBC Breakfast, BBC new channels, BBC Watchdog, the One Show, RipOffBritain and on countless radio shows.
He is a tech futurist and optimist. Who trains companies in AI / digital transformation and how the future of work, technology and AI will change the world for the better during this #FifthIndustrialRevolution.
Written by: Editor
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