In a recent conversation, Russ Altman, a professor of bioengineering at Stanford University and a senior fellow at the Stanford Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence, shared his perspective on the role of AI in the future of communication. Altman, who also hosts Stanford Engineering’s podcast, The Future of Everything, sees AI not as a threat but as an enhancer of human communication.
“AI in general has exposed lots of things that were hidden in our society,” Altman explained. He pointed out that while many people focus on AI’s potential to replace human roles, particularly in communication, the technology actually helps us improve and refine our own abilities. He believes that AI prompts us to ask critical questions: “If you’re worried that ChatGPT type tools can replace you, I think you need to think about why am I communicating? What am I trying to say? Am I being authentic?”
Altman also touched on how AI can serve as a valuable tool in crafting and refining communication. He shared an example from his own experience, where he used an AI model to review a grant proposal. The AI provided feedback that helped him refine his approach, underscoring its utility as a “pre-human screen” before seeking feedback from colleagues.
He further discussed AI’s potential to democratize communication by assisting non-native speakers.
“AI is a wonderful tool to help them learn some of the vernacular and learn other options for ways of saying things,” said Altman, stressing the technology’s ability to make complex information accessible to a broader audience.
The academic is optimistic about AI’s role in communication, believing that it can help us amplify and improve our messages. He paid attention to the importance of understanding our audience and being clear about our communication goals, saying: “You need to know who you’re talking to. You need to know the audience and a little bit about their goals, hopes, and dreams.”
Altman advocates for embracing AI as a powerful assistant in the communication process, urging people to focus on the purpose and authenticity of their interactions.
“If those things are true, it shouldn’t be a problem,” he said, “it should actually just help you amplify and improve your message.”
Featured image: Credit: Stanford University
