The Double Challenge of integrating AI into your Public Affairs Work. The Internal Side of Public Affairs (25)

Alan Hardacre, PhD

Co-Founder Advocacy Academy, Advocacy Strategy

Public Affairs professionals are increasingly aware of the potential AI holds to enhance their work. But when it comes to integrating it there seem to be two key challenges that leave professionals stuck at the starting line:

1. Where to start and what can AI do for you?

AI offers vast opportunities but it is not entirely clear what exactly AI can do to help you on an everyday basis. What use cases are there? There is an overwhelming offer of tools, platforms, and applications but are these really what you need? Should you focus on automating routine tasks, such as internal reporting? Or should you explore more complex AI solutions for predictive analytics and sentiment analysis? The key is to build out a series of use cases (from your work and what you see happening around you) that you feel will make a difference to your work. You need to identify where AI can deliver real value to your team and objectives.

2. How to work within organizational IT policies

While the first challenge is about possibilities, the second is about constraints. Many organizations have strict IT policies that block or limit the use of external AI platforms. These policies—designed to protect data security and ensure compliance—can inadvertently stifle innovation. For Public Affairs teams, this can create a frustrating dynamic. You’re aware of powerful ways to help you work more efficiently, yet gaining approval to use them can involve long, complicated processes. 

So, what’s the solution here? Public Affairs professionals need to play a dual role as both innovators and navigators. On the one hand, we need to educate ourselves about the capabilities and limitations of AI, identifying the tools and processes that best align with our strategic objectives. On the other hand, we need to proactively engage with internal stakeholders—IT teams, legal departments, and senior leaders—to advocate for a thoughtful, balanced approach to AI integration that will work for Public Affairs. If an internal tool is being built (as this seems to be the approach) then you need to make sure your needs and considerations are taken into account.

What about you? How are you navigating these challenges in your own organization? What successes or roadblocks have you encountered integrating AI into your Public Affairs? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below! 👇