How Associations Can Turn Gen AI Skeptics Into Industry Trailblazers
As Generative AI (Gen AI) reshapes industries, associations are uniquely positioned to lead their sectors by embracing this cutting-edge technology. However, the challenge isn’t merely technological integration. It lies in preparing their staff, volunteers, and members to effectively leverage Gen AI. While technical skills are critical, the true differentiator is engagement. For associations, fostering an invested, innovative, and collaborative culture is essential to harness the full potential of AI, through interactive learning, incentives, and community-building.
How Engagement Can Transform Gen AI Skeptics
Engagement is the backbone of successful Gen AI adoption. Without it, even the most robust training programs risk falling flat. Engaged participants are more likely to complete training, absorb complex concepts, and integrate these tools into their work. For associations, this is doubly important. Their staff and volunteers must model the behaviors they seek to inspire in their members.
Data underscores the value of engagement. Research by Gallup shows that engaged teams are 21% more profitable and 17% more productive than their disengaged counterparts. In the context of Gen AI, this translates into members and volunteers who innovate, troubleshoot effectively, and drive the association’s mission forward.
For example, engaged staff might use Gen AI to create tailored member experiences, such as personalized event recommendations or AI-driven career development tools. Similarly, engaged volunteer leaders can use Gen AI insights to streamline chapter activities and enhance local outreach.
Interactive Learning: Building Confidence in Gen AI Skeptics
Traditional, static training methods are often insufficient for the dynamic potential of Gen AI. Instead, associations can adopt interactive learning strategies to spark curiosity and boost retention.
Hands-on workshops provide a natural starting point. These sessions allow participants to experiment with AI tools in real-world scenarios. For example, membership staff could learn to use AI for analyzing member engagement trends, while communications teams could practice using AI-driven content creation tools to draft newsletters. Seeing immediate, practical results fosters confidence and competence.
Gamification is another effective method. By incorporating points, leaderboards, and rewards into training modules, associations can make learning enjoyable and motivating. For example, a chapter leader who earns the most points for completing AI training might receive recognition at the association’s annual conference. This creates friendly competition, encourages participation, and builds a sense of community.
Incentives and Recognition: Motivating Continuous Learning
Incentives are a powerful way to maintain momentum in Gen AI training. Both tangible rewards, such as certifications or gift cards, and intangible benefits, like public recognition, can make a significant impact.
Associations are well-suited to use recognition programs to their advantage. For instance, volunteer leaders who excel in AI training could be featured in association newsletters or awarded special badges for their chapter profiles. These simple but meaningful gestures reinforce the value of learning and inspire others to follow suit.
Linking training achievements to professional development opportunities further enhances engagement. For example, staff who complete advanced AI certifications might qualify for leadership roles in AI-focused initiatives, such as developing a virtual assistant for member inquiries. Volunteers could earn positions on task forces or committees dedicated to AI integration within the association.
Creating a Community of Practice
Engagement flourishes when learning is a shared endeavor. Associations can foster a culture of collective growth through communities of practice—dedicated spaces where members, staff, and volunteers collaborate, share insights, and solve challenges together.
For instance, a technology-focused section of an association could host monthly AI forums for members to discuss best practices and troubleshoot issues. Similarly, a cross-chapter committee could facilitate virtual meetings where volunteer leaders exchange ideas on using Gen AI to enhance local programming. These communities help participants see their efforts as part of a larger mission, deepening their commitment to both the association and its AI goals.
Leveraging Gen AI to Enhance Learning
Gen AI itself can play an active role in engagement. Adaptive learning platforms, for instance, personalize training experiences to fit individual needs. These systems identify knowledge gaps and provide tailored resources, ensuring that participants stay engaged without feeling overwhelmed.
Virtual simulations powered by AI are another game-changer. Associations can create realistic scenarios where participants practice skills in a low-risk environment. For example, a volunteer might use a virtual AI-powered event planning tool to coordinate a mock conference, learning through trial and error without real-world consequences. These tools not only streamline the learning process but also demonstrate the transformative potential of this technology, turning Gen AI skeptics into advocates.
Client Case Study: Elevating Engagement in an Association
Recently, I worked with an association in the manufacturing sector seeking to introduce Gen AI to its operations and member services. While the leadership recognized the technology’s potential, engagement among staff and volunteer leaders was minimal.
We began by designing a series of hands-on workshops tailored to different roles. Staff from the membership department participated in sessions on using AI to predict member needs, while chapter leaders learned to implement AI for automating local event outreach. This approach highlighted the immediate, practical value of AI, fostering excitement and confidence.
Next, we introduced gamified training modules. Volunteers earned points for completing AI courses, which could be redeemed for exclusive opportunities, such as speaking at the annual meeting or attending a leadership retreat. The friendly competition quickly took off, with participants actively encouraging their peers to join.
To sustain engagement, we established a community of practice. This included bi-monthly virtual meetups for staff and volunteers to share progress, troubleshoot challenges, explore risk management, and discuss innovative uses of AI. These gatherings not only maintained momentum but also built a sense of camaraderie and shared purpose.
Within six months, training completion rates doubled, and the association saw measurable improvements in its operations. Member satisfaction scores rose by 25% as personalized AI-powered services were introduced. By prioritizing engagement, the association not only adopted Gen AI but also created a culture of innovation and collaboration.
Conclusion
For associations, the promise of Gen AI extends beyond operational efficiency—it’s a tool for inspiring innovation, enhancing member value, and strengthening their role as industry leaders. But unlocking its potential requires more than technical expertise; it demands a culture of engagement.
By embracing interactive learning, offering meaningful incentives, fostering collaboration, and leveraging AI-powered tools, associations can empower their staff, volunteers, and members to thrive in an AI-driven future. As demonstrated by the manufacturing association, engagement transforms Gen AI from a daunting challenge into an exciting opportunity. Associations that prioritize engagement in their Gen AI strategies will not only set the standard for their industries but also cultivate a community ready to lead with confidence and vision.
Key Take-Away
Engagement is key to converting Gen AI skeptics into advocates. By fostering interactive learning, gamification, and community-building, associations can transform AI adoption into an exciting opportunity, driving innovation and collaboration… Share on XImage credit: Pavel Danilyuk/pexels
Dr. Gleb Tsipursky was named “Office Whisperer” by The New York Times for helping leaders overcome frustrations with hybrid work and Generative AI. He serves as the CEO of the future-of-work consultancy Disaster Avoidance Experts. Dr. Gleb wrote seven best-selling books, and his two most recent ones are Returning to the Office and Leading Hybrid and Remote Teams and ChatGPT for Thought Leaders and Content Creators: Unlocking the Potential of Generative AI for Innovative and Effective Content Creation. His cutting-edge thought leadership was featured in over 650 articles and 550 interviews in Harvard Business Review, Inc. Magazine, USA Today, CBS News, Fox News, Time, Business Insider, Fortune, The New York Times, and elsewhere. His writing was translated into Chinese, Spanish, Russian, Polish, Korean, French, Vietnamese, German, and other languages. His expertise comes from over 20 years of consulting, coaching, and speaking and training for Fortune 500 companies from Aflac to Xerox. It also comes from over 15 years in academia as a behavioral scientist, with 8 years as a lecturer at UNC-Chapel Hill and 7 years as a professor at Ohio State. A proud Ukrainian American, Dr. Gleb lives in Columbus, Ohio.