Post by Nikitha Lokareddy

🏙️ Last week, I had the chance to spend two days in New York City with some of the sharpest minds in our industry at P World's AI in Communications Boot Camp — and it was a powerhouse dose of insight, challenge, and creative fuel. Building on my experience in tech, this workshop gave me fresh insights into the practical ways AI can enhance communications and storytelling — and sparked plenty of ideas to explore next. A few themes that really stuck with me: 🧭 Strategy > Experimentation Chris Gee reminded us that while most teams are dabbling in AI, fewer than 20% have an actual strategy. The result? Shadow AI, scattered tools, inconsistent outputs. But when organizations embed AI into real workflows, the impact is undeniable: faster reporting, less manual work, cleaner processes. His pillars — People, Process, Platforms, and Performance — will be shaping a lot of my thinking going forward. 🤝 Human-Centered, Always Julie Greicius' framing of AI as an eager but naïve intern was spot-on. AI accelerates, but it still needs human judgment, values, and context. Her emphasis on curiosity and experimentation felt especially relevant for large teams navigating rapid change. 🛠️ Practical, Scalable Tools From Margaret Callahan's persona-based crisis agents to Peter Heneghan's full creative toolbox (Synthesia, OpusClip, HeyGen, Yoodli — the list goes on), the message was clear: thoughtful tool selection can supercharge both productivity and creativity. 🧩 Prompting Is a Real Skill Yumi Wilson's “Clarity, Context, Role, Intent” framework is one I’ll be using — and teaching — often. Most teams still “chat” with AI; few know how to brief it. Her approach makes the difference between generic outputs and polished, on-brand work you can actually use. I walked away from the boot camp with a clearer vision of where communications is headed — and how we can build AI workflows that are ethical, strategic, and a true force multiplier for our teams. Grateful for the chance to learn, to exchange ideas, and to keep pushing this work forward. There’s so much opportunity ahead — and I’m excited to keep exploring it. ✨