FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Lisa Wetherald
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Ragan Communications
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Ragan’s “State of AI & Communications” Study Benchmarks How Comms Teams Use AI and Where Readiness Breaks Down
New research finds near-universal adoption, but low workflow integration, uneven governance and limited deepfake preparedness.
CHICAGO, IL — MARCH 10, 2026 — Ragan Communications today released Ragan’s State of AI & Communications, a new market study from the Ragan Center for AI Strategy designed to help senior communications leaders move from AI experimentation to operational, enterprise-ready execution.
Based on responses from communications executives, the study captures a profession in transition: AI is widely used and increasingly routine, but not yet structurally embedded into workflows, governance systems and strategic decision-making.
“At a time when AI is generating both excitement and uncertainty, this research from our Center gives communicators clarity and direction,” says Diane Schwartz, CEO of Ragan. “It’s encouraging to see that communicators are leaning into AI but there are still some major barriers to overcome.”
Key Findings
The research points to a clear maturity mismatch: high adoption, low institutionalization:
- 98% of respondents report using AI in some fashion, and nearly 75% say they use it regularly, yet fewer than 20% see AI integrated into regular workflows and organizational strategy.
- AI usage remains concentrated in productivity tasks: ideation/brainstorming (85%+), content creation (75.7%), research (61.7%) and internal comms (55.3%). Higher-leverage applications, including crisis and audience intelligence, remain underused.
- Deepfake and synthetic media response is a critical readiness gap: fewer than 4% say they are “very prepared,” and 51.5% report either no established process/tools or uncertainty about whether one exists.
In addition to benchmarking the market, the report includes a practical action agenda for communications leaders focused on closing the “AI adoption gap,” including:
Additional Topics Covered
The study also examines emerging issues shaping the next phase of communications strategy, including:
- GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) and its implications for earned media visibility and reputation.
- The rise of Custom GPTs and agentic tools and what “operationalization” looks like beyond pilots.
- Early experimentation with AI trained on executive voice and communications and the governance implications.
Availability
The full report on the State of AI & Communications is available through Ragan’s Center for AI Strategy and the Communications Leadership Council.
For more information and to access the executive summary of this report, go here.
About Ragan Communications and PR Daily
Ragan Communications has been delivering trusted news, training and intelligence for decades to internal and external communicators, HR professionals and business leaders. Its daily news sites, PRDaily.com and Ragan.com, are read by more than 600,000 internal and external communicators monthly. Headquartered in Chicago, Ragan serves communications leaders worldwide through its membership groups, research, events and training.
About the Center for AI Strategy
Ragan’s Center for AI Strategy was created for communicators navigating the fast-changing AI landscape and blends innovation with responsibility. Members connect through peer cohorts, roundtables, and curated resources — from real-world case studies to ethical guidelines and vendor reviews.
About the Communications Leadership Council
Ragan’s Communications Leadership Council is an exclusive membership organization for senior-level corporate and internal communicators. Comprised of the most innovative companies in the world, the membership provides benefits for both senior leaders and their teams, including premier networking, extensive industry training and benchmarking reports.
