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Issue and Advocacy Communications for the AI Age

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Robert Philips · Managing Director
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Story Strategies Group launched this month as a new public affairs agency formed by a team of former Story Partners colleagues. The firm will help clients navigate an evolving advocacy landscape being shaped by AI’s impact on how key audiences—including the public, influencers, and policymakers—research topics, consume information, and produce content.

AI’s impact on our daily lives continues to grow. An increasing number of people are discovering how Generative and Agentic AI can support their careers, drive business growth, inform key decisions, and streamline daily tasks. Yet, from a communications standpoint, AI can be a double-edged sword.

Generative AI platforms like ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Perplexity enable communicators and publishers to create richer, more engaging, and impactful content. However, audiences can push back if that content does not feel authentic. Further, nearly half of Americans (47%) express concern about AI, while only 20% are enthusiastic, according to a survey by Resonate, a consumer data and intelligence company.

Why are audiences hesitant to fully trust AI? Data from Resonate offers clear insights. Nearly half of Americans (49.3%) express fear over AI impersonating humans, while 45.6% worry society is becoming overly reliant on automated systems. Concerns regarding privacy (40.7%) and job displacement (39.1%) also weigh heavily. Meanwhile, audiences remain wary of operational risks—including algorithmic bias (34.9%), a lack of transparency (27.7%), and low-quality content (25.6%). Yet as Americans grow more familiar with these tools, consumer sentiment will inevitably evolve.

Understanding public sentiment toward AI is essential for shaping communications that build trust and resonate with audiences. That is precisely the line Story Strategies Group will walk. By pairing AI-enhanced tools with deep experience in leading public affairs campaigns, we help clients communicate with authenticity, clarity, and authority.

We are deeply grateful to our founding clients for joining us on this journey, and we look forward to helping new partners thrive in this evolving landscape.

Robert Philips, Managing Director, Story Strategies Group

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