Speak, Connect, Influence: How AI is Humanizing Business Communication

In today's digital age, the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) has sparked equal parts excitement and unease—especially in the realm of professional communication.

On one hand, AI can be an amazing tool for research, writing, and simplifying complex communication. Utilizing it can free up important time and energy for other work. Yet there is also a concern that AI will fundamentally change business communication, make it more impersonal, and even cause some roles to become obsolete. 

According to Shawn Lynam, instructor of the course Speak, Connect, Influence:Business Communication in the AI Era at UC San Diego Extended Studies, the value and importance of communication skills in the age of AI will likely become elevated, offering a new set of challenges and opportunities for business professionals.

"The foundation of good communication—making eye contact, engaging the audience, organizing thoughts clearly—isn't going anywhere," Lynam said. "What AI is doing is giving us new ways to elevate our performance in all of those areas."

It's in the context of this elevation that AI becomes an invaluable resource for reclaiming time and energy, gaining unique feedback and perspective, and helping us create our own valuable personal brands. 

What Hasn’t Changed: Foundations of Great Communication

Even with access to AI, Lynam reinforces the value of core communication skills as a starting point every professional should learn. 

"If we all have similar access to information, the foundation of good communication is going to be even more important than it has been in the past," Lynam said.

His reasoning is that in this AI-enhanced world, professional aptitude is no longer just about technical expertise or perfect formatting. The new competitive edge is emotional intelligence, storytelling, and clarity.

"Instead of it being about me and my performance, it becomes about communicating and managing relationships," he explained. "And for a lot of people, that transition doesn't come naturally."

Lynam has been teaching business communication for nearly a decade. In that time, he's seen a familiar pattern play out. Talented professionals in technical fields, such as engineering, finance, or analytics, might excel in their roles and get promoted. But once they step into leadership, the rules change. They find that the skills that got them there don't always equip them well for what's ahead. The professional advantage they had from expertise is no longer as valuable as it once was. 

To that end, Lynam argues that it's become that much more important for professionals to learn how to structure a presentation, build rapport with an audience, and deliver ideas with clarity and persuasion. 

And while AI catalyzed the shift to make these skills more necessary, it's also here to help. 

Efficiency and Focus: Reclaiming Time and Energy

For many, the most practical benefit of AI is saving time and energy. 

Tasks that once took hours, such as building slide decks, compiling data, or summarizing reports, can now be completed in minutes. 

That shift frees up space for strategic thinking, storytelling, and authentic engagement.

"AI helps us spend less time organizing materials and more time actually communicating," Lynam said.

For instance, the AI-based tool, Poised, allows users to practice communication skills in real time and receive immediate feedback on tone, pacing, and clarity—a luxury rarely available in real-world settings.

The time and energy-saving opportunities of AI can also improve in-the-moment presence for the audience. With AI handling transcription and note-taking, professionals can stay fully engaged in meetings and conversations.

"I can actually truly listen and be engaged with somebody…rather than write all the notes down," Lynam added.

Personalization and Growth: Start with Who You Are

Another important perk of AI is that it offers professionals a more personalized option for leadership and communication help than would be available otherwise. 

Professionals can ask AI exactly what they need help with when composing a message, making an important decision, or mapping out a plan of action. This personalized action plan is part of how Lynam sets up his course. 

"Instead of applying a generic approach with the way I share leadership and communication skills, I have the class participants develop a personalized plan based on where they are today and where they want to be in the future," Lynam explained. "That way, everyone gets something they can actually use."

At the beginning of each course, Lynam has students complete assessments to better understand their communication style, personality type, and personal goals. From there, participants use AI to understand what they need to learn and develop a framework for action.

Whether the goal is compelling leadership, stronger networking, or clearer presentations, Lynam shows his course participants how to leverage AI towards building a plan tailored to their needs.

This personalized approach supports a wide range of learners—from entrepreneurs and small business owners to mid-level managers and early-career professionals. 

Yet Lynam also advises that one can't rely on AI alone. It is still important for professionals to take the time to understand and reflect on their own goals and to use AI as a tool to better clarify their needs. 

Personal Branding as a Communication Asset

A third way Lynam sees AI assisting professionals with communication is in helping them develop a strong personal brand. 

"If we work on developing a good personal brand, we communicate with a tailwind rather than a headwind," he said. "It makes every message more effective."

Lynam believes that the way we present ourselves professionally has a direct impact on how our messages are received. AI tools can assist in shaping that brand by helping individuals analyze how they appear in emails, social media posts, and presentations. 

"There are AI tools that can offer you a personal brand assessment based on things like your LinkedIn profile and other communication," shared Lynam. "They're generally spot on." 

The Human Imperative: What AI Can't Replace

While Lynam embraces AI, he also cautions against over-reliance on technology for communication.

"AI is far from perfect. You still have to apply human thought and make sure you're showing up as a real person," he said.

Authentic communication, especially in leadership, requires emotional nuance, situational awareness, and relationship-building. Those skills can't be downloaded or automated.

At its core, Lynam believes that working with AI is about more than just learning a new tool. It's about mindset—about staying up-to-date while also staying human in a rapidly changing world.

"My goal is not to turn people into AI experts," Lynam said. "It's to help them become better communicators, better leaders, and more confident professionals who use AI in smart, human-centered ways."

As AI tools become more embedded in the digital age, mastering the art of professional communication remains a defining skill for success: one that this course is designed to sharpen.

Visit the Speak, Connect, Influence: Business Communication in the AI Era course page to learn more about the UC San Diego Extended Studies program and how AI communication strategies can benefit you.