Shaping the future of PR with AI: Insights from Microsoft’s Frank X. Shaw

Send us Fan MailIn this episode, Microsoft CCO Frank Shaw joins host Jason Mudd to discuss how AI is reshaping PR workflows, strategy, and corporate communications.Tune in to learn more!Meet Our Guest:Our episode guest is Frank X. Shaw, chief communications officer at Microsoft. Frank leads global communications strategy, product PR, media and analyst relations, executive and employee communications, and global agency partnerships. He shares insights on how communicators can leverage AI to focus on high-value work and improve efficiency.Five things you’ll learn from this episode:1. How to identify high-value PR work and apply AI to repetitive tasks2. Practical AI applications for media monitoring, analyst engagement, and internal communications3. How autonomous AI agents can enhance predictive insights for communications teams4. The mindset needed to embrace AI tools without fear of job loss5. How efficiency gained through AI can drive growth rather than just cost-cuttingQuotables“It's not like you can outsource your judgment, but you can augment it.” — Frank Shaw“I don't look at all this technology as something that is going to cut costs. It's going to allow us to do the things that are in front of us that we want to do that we can't get to right now because we don't have the resources and the time.” — Frank Shaw“The mindset has to be one of experimentation, curiosity, trying new things, being willing to fail, at some, grabbing every tool that comes out there and thinking about how we can apply it to the work that we do. “ — Frank Shaw“I think everybody should be experimenting with stuff at home and at work because it's moving really fast, and the way you stay on top of it is just to play.” — Frank Shaw“People say the corporate communication profession has changed over the years. And my argument is it really hasn't changed. We just have better tools. But those same tools require us to be even better practitioners, more strategically minded.” — Jason MuddIf you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to share it with a colleague or friend. You may also support us through Buy Me a Coffee or by leaving us a quick podcast review.Guest’s contact info and resources:Frank X. Shaw on LinkedInMicrosoft websiteLinkedIn Learning: Communicator’s Guide to AI Tools and Mindsets for Modern PR and Media courseAdditional Resources:Axia’s AI Relations serviceMicrosoft Copilot StudioMicrosoft BingGet to Know Microsoft EdgeIntroduction to ChatGPTListen to more episodes of the On Top of PR with Jason Mudd podcast.Find out more about Axia Public Relations.If you like this episode, you're going to love this:How to stay ahead of AI in communication and marketingNavigating AI ethics in PRSupport the showOn Top of PR is produced by Axia Public Relations, named by Forbes as one of America’s Best PR Agencies. Axia is an expert PR firm for national brands.On Top of PR is sponsored by ReviewMaxer, the platform for monitoring, improving, and promoting online customer reviews.