From Awareness to Action: How Associations Can Responsibly Embrace AI

AI. Two letters at the center of nearly every conversation we’re having as association professionals. The technology is profound, multifaceted, and inescapable. Yet many of us still find ourselves unsure of how to begin.

At every conference, there are now multiple sessions on AI: how to use it, how to fear it, how to regulate it. We’re warned to be cautious—guard your data, avoid oversharing. While this is sound advice, it can also leave us stuck in neutral. What’s often missing from these conversations is a grounded, actionable path forward: how to use AI responsibly, with purpose, and starting now.

According to Marketing General’s 2025 Association Outlook Report, only 3% of associations are using generative AI for member services, and just 9% are applying it to operational efficiency. Those are surprisingly low numbers given the potential and they signal a major opportunity. We can’t afford to sit this one out.

One of the biggest questions holding us back is simple: How do we start? Just as schools teach students to be mindful of their digital footprints, associations can take a proactive, intentional approach to AI. This starts with a commitment to education—not just in technology, but in ethics, practical use cases, and long-term impact.

Once that foundation is set, you can:

• Invite subject matter experts to share real-world applications and inspire new thinking.
• Create safe, structured opportunities for staff to engage with hands-on training that turn ideas into action.
• Build clear, supportive guidelines that enable experimentation.
• Consider forming an AI task force to lead the way, coordinate strategy, and promote collaboration across departments; and
• Most importantly, make AI part of the organizational dialogue. Not as a trend, but as a sustained strategic priority.

If this sounds too overwhelming to start because you are a small association. Well, then start small and then scale up. So, what can your association be doing with AI right now?

• Explore how AI can streamline work without compromising trust. Use tools like Otter.ai or Fireflies.ai to transcribe and summarize meetings, saving staff time while maintaining confidentiality. Pair with clear data policies to build trust.
• Pilot tools that enhance member engagement and personalization. Check out meetbetty.ai, a chatbot built for associations, to guide members and personalize content. Tools like Rasa.io can also deliver tailored newsletters based on user interests.
• Empower staff to test and iterate. Create an “AI Champion” role. Encourage staff to try tools like Canva AI, or GrammarlyGO for content and task support. Host regular knowledge shares to spread what works.
• Make ethics central to your AI strategy. Draft a simple AI usage statement that outlines how your association uses AI responsibly. Consult your legal or DEI teams to ensure transparency, fairness, and accessibility. American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) has developed guidance and policies concerning the use of artificial intelligence (AI) within associations as well.

Tip: Don’t just look inside the Association world for inspiration. Some of the most valuable insights come from outside our bubble. Check out Pioneers of AI hosted by Rana el Kaliouby. She offers a great look into AI’s impact across industries and how leaders are approaching investment and integration.

I'm Grazia. I'm a relationship builder and membership leader with deep experience in marketing, communications, and PR. I turn ideas into action. Whether it’s launching campaigns that drive engagement, building partnerships that grow membership, or leading initiatives that strengthen brand value. Let’s connect on LinkedIn and chat.