Don’t self-sabotage: the misuse and real value of AI for #CommsPros

By Daniel Mendez, Founder of #CommsJobs

Many people ask me for my golden advice on using Generative AI (GenAI) in corporate communications. My answer? Don’t self-sabotage.

GenAI platforms are fantastic at some things but awful at others. The key is knowing which tasks should be automated and which must remain human-led. If you start outsourcing strategic thinking, creativity, and storytelling to AI, you’re not just diminishing your own value—you’re setting a dangerous precedent for the entire field of corporate communications.

The Misuse of AI: How We’re Getting It Wrong

I see it all the time. People ask AI for things like:

“Give me a detailed communications plan to launch a new product in EMEA, including audience analysis, key messages, KPIs, and drafts for each tactic. Deliver it in a way that I can copy/paste into PowerPoint.”

Good luck with that.

AI isn’t a replacement for strategic thinking. It can generate ideas, organize information, and streamline workflows, but expecting it to handle complex, high-value tasks without human oversight is a huge mistake.

The Real Value of AI: Small Wins That Add Up

To me, the real efficiency gains are in the small, simple things. Here are some of my favorite AI prompts that save me tons of time:

• “Convert this text from third person to first person.”
• “Rewrite the text below in the past tense.”
• “Condense this text to under 200 characters without losing the essentials.”
• “Rewrite the text below in a more conversational tone.”
• “Remove all jargon from the text below to make it more accessible.”
• “Add an encouraging tone to this feedback.”

Yes, you can do sophisticated things with GenAI tools. But these tiny efficiencies add up fast, freeing up time for the work that actually requires human intelligence.

If you try to automate the tasks you should still be doing manually—critical thinking, storytelling, strategy—you’re actively sabotaging your career. Worse, you’re sending a message that communicators aren’t necessary. That’s not just bad for you—it’s bad for all comms professionals.

Your actions have consequences. Be responsible. Use AI wisely. And above all, don’t self-sabotage.

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Daniel Méndez is the founder of #CommsJobs, a global connector and advocate for communicators, helping professionals navigate careers, build community, and find meaningful opportunities. He is a #WeLeadComms honoree.

Written by: Editor