The excellent recent opinion editorial, "The High Cost of AI Hesitation" by @EmilyMaker Broadmore highlights the  crucial reality that businesses which  delay adopting AI risk falling behind. Hesitation doesn’t just mean missing out on the latest technology; it can lead to operational inefficiencies, higher costs, and stifling  innovation.

Companies that resist AI adoption may struggle to attract and retain top talent, as people want to work for businesses that embrace technological advancements. Likewise, in an era where consumers expect personalised and efficient services, failing to leverage AI could mean lost opportunities to enhance customer experience and engagement.

At Wright Communications, we see AI not as a way to cut corners but as an additional resource, like having more collaborators in the office. It enables us to streamline certain tasks, allowing our team to help solve the real business issues by focusing more on strategic thinking, narrative development, and nuanced messaging that remain at the heart of what we do.

While our work has evolved in recent months to focus on more complex organisational challenges and change management, we remain firmly positioned at the high end of the communications spectrum. We anticipate an increase in M&A communications this year, requiring sophisticated stakeholder engagement and reputation management, areas where our expertise is invaluable.

Despite these evolving demands, our core purpose remains unchanged. Purpose-led communications are central to everything we do, helping our clients earn an enviable reputation by shaping authentic narratives, engaging meaningfully with stakeholders, and upholding the highest ethical standards. AI simply helps us work smarter, not faster in a way that diminishes value. The technology enhances our ability to deliver high-impact advisory work while keeping strategy and creativity firmly in human hands.

That’s why we have developed a clear AI Usage and Ethics Policy to guide our approach. We are committed to using AI responsibly, ensuring that it serves as an enabler rather than a disruptor. A key pillar of our policy is confidentiality, we take the protection of sensitive client information seriously and carefully manage how AI is used to ensure data security and classification protocols are upheld. Transparency in how AI is integrated into our work is essential, and we remain fully accountable for the strategic counsel and creative expertise we provide.

As AI continues to reshape industries, businesses must strike a balance between innovation and responsibility. Hesitation carries risks, but so does reckless implementation. The key lies in thoughtful, ethical adoption, something we’ve embraced at Wright Communications.