Association Intelligence – The Other A.I.
Associations are focusing on artificial intelligence (A.I.) very seriously. There are many questions about it: should we use it? How do we use it? Which tools should we choose if we go with A.I.? Will it replace staff or enhance staff? If we do use it, will our content be “stolen” by the online algorithms that have cute names but no souls?
These are all great questions to ask because I don’t believe that associations can use A.I. effectively without thinking this through strategically. There are many people using it right now, whether their organization has sanctioned it or not, because it does have a lot of automation benefits and can save time. But what are the long-term implications of using A.I. without leadership oversight?
This is where the “other A.I.” comes in: Association Intelligence.
We all know that software tools can make our lives easier. Much of association life now revolves around the digital nomad community (despite the “come back to the office movement”) – we can work from anywhere thanks to the technology tools that support our connection to content and people. Over the years as technology has become a bigger part of our life and work, we carefully thought about and chose the tools that would support our association’s mission.
This is an example of Association Intelligence: asking what tools will serve members and help us with Mission Fulfillment? And then implementing those tools.
Associations have a tendency to take their time but A.I. will have none of that taking your time nonsense! It will paint 6 versions of the “Mona Lisa,” write a parody of your favorite novel, and then make up data -- all before breakfast. It has the luxury of no distractions so it moves at the speed of thought.
Thought implies intelligence, which A.I. does not really possess. What it has is instant access to all the available existing content online. What it doesn’t have – at least not yet – is the ability to think. This is where Association Intelligence is crucial and why we must stand firm against societal pressures in this area.
In my April 13, 2023, blog post, I wrote:
Scientists often chase big changes without considering the consequences of their actions. Living in the “now” of their research and their laboratory, they move forward with a dangerous carelessness about the future impact of what they are doing. The rest of us become hostages to their “vision” as they insist that we just don’t understand as we are too uninformed and unintelligent. Yet, we must suffer the outcomes of their vision.
In today’s world the big change that is happening is Artificial Intelligence. This is a great research tool but as more and more proponents suggest unleashing it and letting it run everything, we should all take a pause and seriously consider what we are actually doing.
Association Intelligence should tell us to pause, evaluate, and purposefully implement A.I. tools into our operations and governance. We should not be forced into it based on the excited declarations of those who love new tools but don’t always know how to use them. Without considering the long-term impact of A.I. on our work and relationships, we could be swept away into a world where our tools control us instead of us wielding them consciously and with purpose.
Those associations having success with A.I. tools thought it through, came up with plans, conducted training, created policies, and then launched. Association Intelligence applied strategically will always have more value and impact than any piece of software.
