World PR Day: APRA advocates ethical, responsible use of AI

The African Public Relations Association (APRA) has called on its members to leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools and associated technologies for insights towards transformation of lives, the PR industry and contemporary life, with a caveat for ethical and responsible use of AI.

This advice came in a message sent to members of the continental body by its president, Mr. Arik Karani. The message which came in commemoration of the 2024 World Public Relations Day (World PR Day) and resonates with the theme of this year’s celebration, “The Future of Public Relations in a Changing World”, noted that the unfolding reality of contemporary world signaled ‘unprecedented change and opportunity’.

A statement by Omoniyi Ibietan, Ph.D., fnipr, Secretary General, APRA, said the president stated that communication, analyses and strategies in PR such as “sentiment analysis, predictive analytics, automated content creation” are spheres where AI enhances the human agency and capabilities of the public relations practitioners and bolsters capacity for improvement in crisis communication, brand and stakeholder relationship management and otherwise complex issues.

In sounding a note of caution in AI utilisation, Mr. Karani urged PR practitioners in Africa to ensure that “the principles of transparency, accountability and inclusivity should guide our use of AI in public relations”, because PR practitioners have a duty to promote truth, bridge gaps and cultivate trust. He reminded all members of APRA that those precepts are in congruence with the vision of APRA and promised the organisation’s dedication to advancing PR practice to foster promotional development, promote ethical standards to enhance the contribution of APRA to society through sustainable development of all sectors to drive social impact.

Karani, who is also the President of the Public Relations Society of Kenya (PRSK), appealed to APRA  members to be open-minded to explore the endless opportunities of AI as a force for good in public  relations so the profession can continue to play its central role in building understanding, enable dialogue and “creating a more connected and compassionate world”.