We’re heading into a period of transformation like nothing we’ve ever experienced. Comms and Change have a critical role to play.
One of the most interesting views of our AI journey is described by Gartner’s annual hype cycles.
As the image below shows, in 2024 AI was in the middle of ‘peak hype’ and Gartner was predicting that AI would reach ‘the plateau of productivity’ in less than two years.
That kind of tracks, doesn’t it.
After all, it was about that time that some kool-aid drinkers we’re running around gleefully thinking…
“Wow. We can summarise our emails. Let’s sack half our staff!!”
Gartner 2024 AI Hype Cycle
Thankfully, over 2025, that initial burst of hype has given way to a much more realistic view of our AI journey.
In Gartner’s 2025 hype cycle, you can see that Generative AI has now entered the ‘trough of disillusionment’ and the journey to the plateau is now expected to take 2-5 years.
As an interesting aside, there are two exceptions to this. Aspects of AI that are now well and truly in the hype phase.
The first are AI agents which, again, tracks well with current commentary.
The second is Responsible AI. I’ve got to say, I take issue with this. Yes, it’s become a big deal but that’s a good thing. I don’t think it’s being overhyped at all.
Gartner 2025 AI Hype Cycle
From hype to hope to reality
Anyway, back to the key point.
Over the last year, our attitude to AI has moved from hype to hope. We have developed a more measured, realistic view of AI. Now, we’re moving into reality, where the AI rubber really hits the road.
Over the next three weeks, I want to share three realities of the AI journey ahead of us. This will lead up to the Centre’s AI Forum on 19 December, which we’re planning as an exciting and informative look forward.
Reality 1: The transformation ahead
As the Gartner hype cycles suggest, we once saw Generative AI as a sudden ‘Big Bang’. We now see it as a workforce transformation that will take place over several years.
Actually, not a workforce transformation. The workforce transformation. At the risk of being seen as a hypester myself, there will be nothing subtle about the transformation ahead. It will be the largest shift any of us have ever seen.
Here are some stats to illustrate this.
According to this year’s IBM CEO Study…
“68% of CEOs say AI changes aspects of their business that they consider core”
This was expanded on by a recent (admittedly small) survey of 60+ CEOs by Fortune Magazine and Deloitte.
They found that CEOs are expecting AI to change pretty much everything over the next few years… from vision, direction and growth strategy to operating model and core processes to talent strategy and resource allocation. And more on top of that.
What does this mean for us?
As mentioned, I’m going to talk about two more realities of the next few years. Next week I’ll talk about the pace of change and Thomas L. Friedman’s age of acceleration. The week after, I’ll talk about the critical need for AI training.
In the meantime, I want to leave you with two thoughts about what we should be doing over the next few years.
The first is strap in. It’s going to be wild ride!
Second, comms and change professionals have a critical role to play in taking, supporting and enabling people on this journey.
We need to be preparing for this now. It’s critical to the future of the people and organisation’s we support.
And it’s crucial to the future of our profession as well.
Join Our Final Communicating AI Forum of 2025!
Exploring Agentic AI
Our AI forum is a relaxed, judgment-free space to ask questions, share experiences, and explore how AI is shaping our profession — whether you’re just starting out or already experimenting.
This final session for 2025 takes place on: 18 December, 6:00 PM EST / 19 December, 10:00 AM AEDT
or 19 December, 10:00 AM CET / 19 December, 11:00 AM CAT
