Teaching PR and Ethics in the Age of AI

As artificial intelligence rapidly reshapes communication practice, public relations educators face new challenges—and opportunities—in preparing the next generation of professionals. This panel brings together experienced PR faculty to discuss how they are navigating AI in the classroom with an emphasis on ethics, transparency, and professional responsibility.

Topics will include:

• Setting AI policies and standards at the start of the semester to ensure clarity and fairness.
• Leading critical conversations about the ethical implications of AI for the PR profession and for higher education.
• Integrating generative AI tools into coursework while modeling responsible and ethical usage.
• Sharing the challenges educators have faced—ranging from academic integrity concerns to equity in access—and how they are addressing them.

Attendees will leave with concrete strategies, sample classroom policies, and discussion frameworks to guide ethical AI use in public relations education. This session is designed to spark dialogue among PR educators about best practices, while equipping them to prepare students for an industry where ethical engagement with AI will be essential.

Hosted by the Educators Academy Section. Paid registration for non-Educators Academy Section members includes the live webinar and video playback for one month.