Associations That Harness Gen AI Pioneers Will Dominate
The transformative potential of generative AI (Gen AI) in learning and development (L&D) is an exciting opportunity for association executives. While your members and staff may already be engaging with these tools independently, you may be unaware of the extent to which this is happening. According to a global study by Salesforce conducted in late 2023, 28% of workers were already using Gen AI at work, often without formal approval. That number has undoubtedly grown. Rather than taking a top-down, restrictive approach, associations have a unique opportunity to tap into these Gen AI early adopters to enhance organizational learning, member engagement, and operational efficiency.
A study by Harvard Business School and Boston Consulting Group found that professionals using Gen AI tools completed tasks 22% faster and with 40% greater quality than those who did not. By leveraging the expertise of Gen AI pioneers within your association, you can integrate these tools into L&D initiatives to achieve similar benefits. Here’s how association executives can harness this potential to stay at the forefront of member service and operational excellence.
Uncover and Harness Gen AI Pioneers in Your Association
The first step is identifying how staff and members are already using Gen AI. Conduct an internal survey focusing on which tools are being used, the frequency of use, and their specific applications. For example, are volunteers using AI for content creation, event planning, or membership analytics? Are staff streamlining administrative tasks or developing new member services? Mapping these insights provides a baseline understanding of how AI fits into your association’s ecosystem.
It’s critical to create an environment of trust during this process. Reassure staff and volunteers that using Gen AI—even without formal guidelines—is acceptable and that the goal is to learn from their experiences. Incentivize participation by offering recognition, professional development opportunities, or even small rewards. By fostering a sense of collaboration rather than control, you can uncover valuable insights without stifling innovation.
Developing Best Practices from Gen AI Innovators
Once you’ve identified the early adopters, leverage their expertise to craft best practices for your association. Form a task force that includes Gen AI pioneers, L&D professionals, and IT specialists to develop guidelines for using AI effectively. This collaborative group can address key questions, such as:
- How can Gen AI improve member engagement?
- What are the ethical considerations for using AI in member interactions?
- How can these tools streamline administrative processes without sacrificing quality?
Pilot these best practices with small teams before rolling them out across your organization. For instance, you might test AI-driven member segmentation or content personalization tools within one department or chapter. Gather feedback during the pilot phase to refine processes and ensure alignment with the association’s strategic goals.
Document the refined best practices in an accessible format, such as video tutorials, FAQs, and step-by-step guides. Distribute these resources through your association’s L&D platform or intranet, ensuring that all stakeholders can easily access the information.
Embedding Gen AI Knowledge into Your L&D Programs
To maximize the impact of Gen AI, embed its use into your association’s broader learning and development strategy. Incorporate tailored Gen AI modules into existing training programs to educate staff and volunteers about the technology’s potential and limitations. Training could include basics such as how to use AI for routine tasks or more advanced topics like leveraging AI for data-driven decision-making.
Encourage peer learning by promoting collaboration between AI-savvy individuals and less experienced staff or volunteers. For example, pair early adopters with colleagues in mentoring programs to share practical tips and insights. Facilitate knowledge sharing through internal forums, webinars, and lunch-and-learn sessions. Recognizing and rewarding contributors to these efforts will reinforce a culture of continuous learning.
Case Studies: Associations Harnessing Gen AI Pioneers
Associations that effectively integrate Gen AI into their L&D programs can experience transformative results. For example, one association client I worked with paired early adopters with staff in departments like communications and membership services. These peer mentors led hands-on workshops covering practical AI applications, such as generating personalized email campaigns and streamlining membership renewals. The result was higher staff productivity and more personalized member interactions.
Another association focused on microlearning modules, offering bite-sized Gen AI lessons accessible on demand. These included interactive content, quizzes, and real-world applications, allowing learners to advance at their own pace. This flexible approach boosted engagement, helping staff and volunteers apply their newfound skills to enhance member retention efforts.
One association took it a step further by gamifying its Gen AI training. Staff earned points for completing modules, with leaderboards encouraging healthy competition and collaboration. This approach significantly increased course completion rates and motivated employees to incorporate AI tools into their daily workflows, resulting in improved efficiency and innovation across the organization.
Tracking Progress and Sustaining Innovation
Tracking outcomes is essential to ensuring the long-term success of Gen AI integration. Use analytics to monitor the impact of training programs, identifying skills gaps and areas for improvement. Regularly update training materials to reflect new advancements in AI and evolving organizational priorities, while managing risks.
Cultivate a culture of continuous improvement by recognizing achievements and embedding learning into daily routines. For instance, celebrate milestones like successful AI-driven initiatives or individual learning achievements at staff meetings or annual conferences. Engage leadership in promoting the value of Gen AI to foster a top-down commitment to innovation.
Conclusion
For association executives, the rise of Gen AI represents a tremendous opportunity to revolutionize L&D and member engagement. By identifying and empowering Gen AI pioneers, developing tailored best practices, and embedding AI knowledge into your training programs, you can position your association for long-term success. The time to act is now, as the expertise and innovation needed to lead in this era are already within your reach—among your volunteers and staff. Leverage it, and you’ll ensure your association remains indispensable in a rapidly evolving world.
Key Take-Away
Harness Gen AI by tapping into early adopters within your association. Identify how members and staff already use AI, develop best practices from their insights, and integrate AI training into L&D programs. Share on XImage credit: Antoni Shkraba/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.