Webinar recap: using Generative AI to support clear communication

This Clear Language Lab webinar took place on September 20, 2023 as part of the Plain Language Foundations series. Check out the notes below, or access the webinar recording and slides.

Definitions: what are we talking about?

• Using plain language means centering your audience’s needs and goals, and writing in a way that they can find, understand, and use the information you're sharing.

• Artificial Intelligence (AI) refers to computer systems that can imitate intelligent human behavior

• Generative AI is a specific type of artificial intelligence that can take extremely large data sets and synthesize that information in response to a question or prompt

Using Generative AI for clear communication

• Tools like ChatGPT and Bing Chat can be used at various stages of the writing process:

  • Get support brainstorming and organizing ideas by asking for topics and categories.

  • Simply texts by asking them to identify jargon, simplifying language for a specific audience, or providing plain language definitions and analogies for complex ideas. 

    
    

• Canva Magic can generate images, slide presentations, and documents based on prompts

  
  

• The response you get will depend on your prompt:

  • Try a few different prompts until you get what you’re looking for

  • Be clear about your voice and audience

  • Use specific and concise language

  • Keep neutral language and a polite tone

    
    

• Generative AI has some significant challenges and limitations:

  • It cannot judge if its sources are truthful and accurate - avoid using it for content on topics you don’t have strong background knowledge in.

  • Responses can be nonsensical or harmful - always proofread for accuracy and appropriateness before sharing. 

  • Each program has unique policies around privacy and copyrights - read the terms and conditions carefully, don’t input sensitive or confidential information, and talk to your organization before using generative AI in your work.

Resources

About Generative AI

• Using AI

  • What is ChatGPT and why does it matter? Here's everything you need to know

  • How to cite ChatGPT (apa.org)

  • Do product professionals have a role to play as we explore AI and ethics? (dovetail.com)

• Research about AI

  • ChatGPT Lifts Business Professionals’ Productivity and Improves Work Quality

  • AI Tools Raise the Productivity of Customer-Support Agents

  • Human-Centered, Machine-Assisted: Ethically Deploying AI to Improve the Client Experience — Code for America

• Food for thought

  • Greetings, People Of Earth (thisamericanlife.org)

  • Short TikTok about AI in Schools

General plain language 

• Home (plainlanguage.gov)

• Plain Language – Digital.gov

• Language, Please: Style Guide & Resources for journalists and storytellers

• Bias-free language

Interested in learning more about professional development at Clear Language Lab? Check out other past webinars, find upcoming events on our training page, or contact Sarah Glazer, Sr. Program Manager, at sarah@litworks.org to learn more about our offerings.

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