At Caryl Communications, we have spent the past year – and then some – having open conversations about the thoughtful and effective use of artificial intelligence (AI) in business, and how we can embrace opportunity while preserving human integrity, creativity and accountability. Central in that discussion has been incorporating AI’s transformational benefits while ensuring protection for our clients’ sensitive information and intellectual capital.
The public relations industry, like others, is at an inflection point, and in many ways boutique firms like ours have a real advantage. New tools are leveling the playing field, with cost-effective access to the type of quality data and insights previously limited to larger agencies with big teams and heavy tech investments. They also enable significant operational efficiencies, so more brainpower can be allocated to driving great results.
To that end, we have carefully vetted and selected AI tools, including an industry-leading agency management platform front and center, to support our work. We are weaving AI assistance into areas of internal operations, research, ideation and strategic planning, news and media workflows, and content editing/repurposing (of only our own or client-created copy, with permission).
The result? Caryl Communications is rapidly moving toward an AI-Forward, People-Powered.™ PR agency model – it’s trademarked! – and we are proud to be ahead of the curve. We also recognize the importance of transparency in this evolution. To that end, our corporate AI Policy, effective February 2026, includes a commitment to openly discuss our AI use with clients. We’re pleased to do that here.
Guardrails, Confidentiality Protection and Security? Check.
One of the most important parts of our policy outlines AI uses that are not allowed. Crisis communication? Always human-led. Automated client communications sent without review? Not permitted. AI-generated strategic recommendations without professional analysis? Not on our watch. Generic AI content slop? We’re better than that. Our work requires human beings who understand context, nuance and the real-world consequences of every word.
Caryl Communications explicitly prohibits inputting confidential or proprietary client data, personally identifiable information, protected health information, financial information, trade secrets, or unpublished client news into any unsecured or non-subscribed AI-driven software. We’ve spent considerable effort choosing AI applications that keep all client information in-house and confidential. These tools are configured so that client data never trains external models.
Additionally, only thoroughly tested, security-vetted AI solutions will be used for any future client work – and new tools require leadership-level authorization before deployment. This level of specificity isn’t optional. It’s the baseline.
AI Is Not a Decisionmaker. Quality Is a Human Responsibility.
Here’s our editorial position, stated plainly: AI supports what we do; it does not drive it. AI is powerful technology, but it cannot replace human judgment, professional expertise or the empathy that high-stakes communication demands. And it cannot provide the sharp edge that comes with content developed by skilled writers and storytellers. At Caryl Communications, human judgment leads strategy, creativity and every client relationship – without exception.
We equate the contributions of AI agents to that of really smart – and REALLY fast – interns. They can do the research, make correlations and put thoughts to paper. But they always need skilled, experienced oversight and management. That’s why we’ve formalized our quality standards. Every AI-assisted output must be reviewed and fact-checked by a Caryl team member; aligned with client voice, messaging and objectives; free of plagiarism and unverified claims; and appropriate for the intended purpose.
Our Policy Is a Living Commitment, Not a One-Time Document.
Caryl Communications’ AI policy isn’t filed away and forgotten. It’s governance that will evolve with the technology. Our team members using AI tools have completed mandatory AI ethics and usage training. They are educated on AI bias and misinformation awareness, and have tool-specific training for our approved platforms.
The AI landscape moves fast. Our standards will move with it. We will continuously monitor industry best practices and track regulatory developments. We will evaluate new and evolving tech capabilities, and update our policy accordingly.
We’re Building Our Future to Benefit Clients.
Caryl Communications’ approach to AI usage was built to benefit and protect clients, not simply to streamline our internal workflows. Every guardrail we’ve put in place and every tool we have selected has been thoughtful and purposeful, because we believe the best use of AI in public relations is one that makes the human expertise customers are paying for more valuable and more effective.
We welcome the opportunity to continue this important conversation and answer any additional questions about how AI is enhancing our agency and client work.
Are you in the process of creating an AI Policy for your business? Reach out to Sandy at sandy@caryl.com if you’d like to compare notes. We’re happy to share our experience!