Associations are always trying to “do more.” AI can help associations do more with less. The key to AI for associations is to lay the groundwork today. They must understand its potential use cases for their organizations, acknowledge the barriers, and implement solutions to move ahead.
Identify AI Use Cases
To prepare for AI, associations need to identify the most relevant use cases for their organization. Here are a few (but not all) potential AI use cases for associations:
- Content generation—provide blog topics, write posts, create social content, or even scan your content to find gaps
- Data analytics—analyze member data to show trends in retention, sales, and events
- Knowledge management—streamline certification, documentation, and personalize the learning journey for members (and even staff)
- Event planning—research and identify locations for events within necessary parameters for your organization
When considering use cases, start by identifying repetitive or dreaded tasks. Adjust the goal, AI won’t eliminate the tasks; but, with the right parameters it can save the person carrying out the task time and effort.
Acknowledge Barriers to AI Use
AI is moving fast. It’s unsurprising that association leaders are grappling with AI for their associations. Below are some stumbling blocks to address:
- Policies – Outdated or absent. Even if your policy doesn’t allow for AI use, it’s probably happening. Policies should be in place to mitigate risks and ensure responsible AI use.
- Organizational Strategy – Organizations lack definition and direction about how to leverage AI to better solve problems.
- Data – Most people don’t understand or trust the data. Lack of data quality, governance and accessibility prevent organizations from effectively leveraging AI and predictive analytics.
- People – Change management is essential. There is a skills gap. Even if data is clean, most staff are unprepared to leverage the insights from these technologies. This is compounded by fears around AI.
- Ethics/Reputation – Bias exists. You want humans in the loop checking the AI’s work. There is also the members’ perception of cutting corners and the need to protect the data.
Get Started
If you think your organization isn’t using AI, you’re wrong. A Microsoft survey found that 75% of respondents use AI and almost 50% started using it in the last 6 months. Given that respondents felt using AI made them more creative, saved them time, and helped them enjoy their work more, it’s safe to say AI use will increase. That’s why we advise associations to start by creating policies. In the absence of a policy, people fill in the blanks. Identify “shadow AI” tools in use. Create a flexible framework. The goal: guide and encourage structured and careful experimentation but mitigate risks and exposure to negative outcomes.
Next, align AI use with organizational strategy. AI shouldn’t simply be used tactically. It should align with strategy (and policy), just like the website and app do. Develop a clear strategy on how to leverage it to create a more intelligent and problem-solving organization. Avoid using AI because it’s a ‘shiny object’. Read through your strategic plan with an AI lens. Determine if your strategic plan facilitates your AI strategy. Next planning session, make the necessary changes. Identify use cases and understand how these fit into broader organizational goals, build those into workflows. This creates buy-in to help with the change management process.
Address change management. Acknowledge that staff may feel threatened by AI and fear losing their jobs. Help them understand how leveraging new technologies will enhance their roles. Confront the skills gap by creating space for your team to be successful with the tools and innovate. Associations that ignore the opportunity to innovate will fall behind.
Every organization has websites and mobile apps. AI will follow this trend. Associations can’t afford to sit on the sidelines when it comes to AI. However, AI for associations must include strategy. That strategy must encompass data management, security practices, policy development, and change management. By understanding the benefits AI brings to associations and acknowledging the barriers to entry and exploration, associations can prepare and seize the opportunity.