Letter from the Editor
As the new Editor-in-Chief of IABC/Toronto’s Communicator, I am pleased to bring you this special edition that continues the conversation from a recent IABC/Toronto event: “AI in Communications: Transparency, Authenticity and Trust.”
During the panel discussion and fireside chat, sponsored by Edelman, communications leaders shared how their organizations are navigating the opportunities and challenges posed by artificial intelligence (AI).
I am thrilled that some of the contributing leaders are further expanding on the insights they shared in this special edition. You may notice some common themes throughout this issue: Is AI is a threat to professional communicators? How can organizations use AI responsibly and ethically, while maintaining audience trust? What does the role of communications look like amidst all this change?
The panel discussion was moderated by IABC/Toronto President, Amie Silverwood, SCMP. Amie reflects on her takeaways from the panel in this edition and discusses how communicators can stay ahead of the curve through storytelling, being authentic and using AI responsibly.
The fireside chat, moderated by Cyrus Mavalwala, ABC, MC, Founding Partner, Advantis Communications, featured Kenny Yum, Chief of Staff and Strategy at CBC News. In the article “Truth and Trust,” Kenny expands on the discussion about how AI is being used in newsrooms today without sacrificing truth and public trust.
In “The Death of Communications is Greatly Exaggerated,” panelist Rob Trewartha, Director of Communications for the City of Mississauga, writes about the perceived threat to the future of communications and why strategic communications professionals are needed more than ever.
Finally, in “Training for the AI Era: What Communicators Can Learn from the Olympics,” panelist Veronica Langvee, Director of Communications for Microsoft Canada, discusses how we can use AI intentionally, while maintaining the human aspects of our work as professional communicators.
I thank all the leaders who contributed to this issue and the event, and hope you enjoy reading this special edition as much as we enjoyed creating it.
Regards,
Tina Dealwis
Editor-in-Chief, IABC/Toronto Communicator
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