We’re Not in Kansas Anymore... #CommsHero2025

When you take the post-lunch slot at a conference, there’s only one rule: keep people awake. So at Comms Hero 2025, I did what I always do — made everyone stand up, shake it out, and tell the person next to them, “I like you.”

It’s fun, yes — but also a reminder that internal communication starts and ends with connection. And as we enter the age of AI, that truth matters more than ever.

The Fifth Industrial Revolution: It’s About People, Not Machines

We’ve had revolutions powered by water, steam, electricity, and computers.... Now we’re entering The Fifth Industrial Revolution — where technology and humanity finally need to work together, consciously.

AI isn’t replacing internal communicators; it’s revealing the best of them. It’s freeing time, amplifying creativity, and sharpening clarity. But only if we lead it with purpose.

Judging the Future: Real Stories of AI in Action

This year, I had the privilege of judging the Comms Hero Awards: Best Use of AI. (And of course, I used several of my Automated Interns to help me do so) And let me tell you — the most powerful stories weren’t about automation; they were about empowerment.

🏆 Forge Holiday Group won for transforming how an entire business communicates with AI. Their internal comms team branded AI as “FY-AI” (For Your AI) — a friendly hub that made learning and experimenting with AI accessible to all.

They built governance frameworks, ran an “AI Day” for 1,800 employees, created an “AI Guardians” community, and even trained staff through an AI apprenticeship with Multiverse. The result?

💡 Samantha Bennett and the WCHG team began their AI journey after hearing my talk at Comms Hero 2024. I also went on to do a training day for them and their tech team and leaders. From this they went on to create custom ChatGPT prompts for newsletters, tone-of-voice refinement, and intranet content. The results? Time savings of up to 50%, sharper communication, and a happier, more empowered team.

These examples prove what I’ve said for years: the best internal comms teams don’t wait for permission — they lead the change.

We’re Not in Kansas Anymore: The Real Wicked Witch: Time ⏳

The biggest threat to internal communicators isn’t AI — it’s time.

Time to learn, experiment, and adapt before change overtakes you.

That’s why I built the IC AI Check-In

— a quick, people-first scorecard designed for internal comms teams to see how ready they are to use AI with confidence.

In just three minutes, you’ll find out:

How confident your team really is with AI

What your next steps should be

Where your biggest opportunities lie

Because awareness is the first step to leadership.

Next Step: From Insight to Action

Once you’ve taken the check-in, take the next leap: the Strategic AI for Internal Communication Professionals Training Online Workshop

.This half-day online session dives deeper — showing internal comms leaders how to move from using AI tools to designing AI strategy.

We’ll cover:

Using AI for message testing and audience analysis

Aligning AI outputs with tone, brand, and culture

Building internal AI confidence without losing authenticity

This isn’t theory. It’s what teams like Forge and WCHG are already doing — and doing brilliantly.

The Revolution Is About You

So, if you were in that room at Comms Hero 2025 — standing, stretching, and laughing — remember:

The Fifth Industrial Revolution isn’t about replacing people. It’s about amplifying them.

It’s about communicators like you — who start not with why, but with who.

Who you are. Who you want to become. And who you’ll help bring along.

Because AI will not replace internal communicators.

But internal communicators who understand AI?

They will shape the future of work.

And huge thanks to everyone that said lovely things about my talk too.

I did a LinkedIn post all about the day...

References for the piece:

https://www.thefifthindustrialrevolution.co.uk/blog/how-1-human-and-3-ai-models-judged-an-award-for-commshero

https://iccheckin.com/

https://www.dansodergren.com/i-ai

https://events.humanitix.com/strategic-ai-for-internal-communication-professionals

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/emotional-intelligence-ai-era-why-humanity-still-dan-s%C3%B6dergren-o0ike/

About Dan Sodergren:

Keynote speaker, professional speaker, Ted X talker, serial tech startup founder, ex marketing agency owner, HR tech co founder, digital trainer, and now author and media spokesperson Dan Sodergren’s main area of interest is the future of work, technology, data and AI. And in his spare time Dan is a digital marketing and technology (and now AI) expert for TV shows and the BBC and countless radio shows.

Occasionally donning the cape of consumer champion on shows like BBC WatchDog, the One Show and RipOffBritain and being a marketing tech specialist for SuperShoppers and RealFakeAndUnknown and BBC Breakfast.

He is also a host and guest on podcasts and webinars speaking as a tech futurist. And a remote reporter / content creator for tech companies at tech events and shows.

His main interest is in the future. Be that the future of marketing, or the future or work or how AI and technology will change the world for the better as part of the #FifthIndustrialRevolution.

Find out more about him here bit.ly/DanSodergren