Call for Papers:

Artificial Intelligence and Communication Management
Special issue of Journal of Communication Management
https://knowledgesteez.com/call-for-paper-artificial-intelligence-and-communication-management-3/

Guest editors: Dr. Alice/Yang Cheng, Dr. April Yue

Deadline for submissions: February 1, 2026

Artificial intelligence (AI) has rapidly gained prominence across various fields of communication, transforming communication management, especially strategic communication, into a digital and automated process that interacts with publics in increasingly sophisticated ways. As AI continues to shape communication practices, it has given rise to new opportunities and challenges, including digital communication, chatbot services, crisis management, internal communication, and corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts. Technologies such as chatbots, automated content generation, and sentiment analysis are reshaping traditional communication practices, creating new opportunities for organizations to engage with their publics more efficiently and effectively (Cheng & Jiang, 2020; Soriano & Valdés, 2021; Yue et al., 2024a, b). AI-driven tools enable communication management professionals to automate routine tasks, improving efficiency and allowing them to focus on more strategic aspects of communication (Laskin & D’Agostino, 2024; Soriano & Valdés, 2021). The growing presence of conversational tones, social presence, and responsiveness through AI has also been linked to more positive user interactions, ultimately benefiting organizational-public relationships (Cheng & Jiang, 2021; Cheng et al., 2024a). Recent studies have further highlighted the importance of AI in nonprofit sectors, with AI-powered chatbots fostering trust and enhancing social media engagement, creating a more seamless dialogue between organizations and their publics (Cheng & Wang, 2025).

In the realm of CSR, AI tools have proven crucial in influencing consumer behaviors. Research on AI-powered chatbots in CSR initiatives has shown that social-oriented chatbots can significantly impact consumers’ supportive actions through dialogic communication, especially in Chinese markets (Jiang et al., 2024). These developments underscore AI’s expanding role in facilitating communication between organizations and their stakeholders, especially in socially responsible contexts, where trust and engagement are paramount. Furthermore, AI-powered chatbot communication has proven effective in enhancing customer satisfaction, engagement, and loyalty, leading to stronger customer-brand relationships (Cheng & Jiang, 2020, 2021; Jiang et al., 2021).

However, despite these advancements, the integration of AI into communication management presents significant challenges. Research by Zerfass et al. (2020) indicates that many communication professionals still lack a deep understanding of AI, leading to anxiety and resistance toward its adoption. Furthermore, AI raises ethical concerns related to transparency, privacy, misinformation, and biases, which are particularly important in communication management practices (Bowen, 2024; Yue et al., 2024a, b). As AI technologies become more prevalent, scholars emphasize the need for ethical frameworks to guide their application in communication management, ensuring that AI is used responsibly and in ways that protect stakeholder trust (Bowen, 2024). These concerns are particularly pressing in the age of misinformation, where AI-driven tools can either mitigate or exacerbate the spread of false information, making ethical considerations even more critical.

AI’s role in crisis communication has garnered increasing attention. Studies suggest that AI-driven tools can assist communication professionals in monitoring public sentiment and crafting authentic communication during crises, allowing organizations to respond more rapidly and strategically (Cheng et al., 2024b). AI’s ability to analyze social media and public reactions further enhances an organization’s crisis management efforts, ultimately safeguarding its reputation. For instance, AI-powered chatbots are increasingly being employed in public health communication, where they guide users through the complexity of misinformation, such as vaccine-related myths, thus facilitating informed decision-making and enhancing the effectiveness of health campaigns (Cheng, 2025). AI’s potential to offer rapid, data-driven insights during crises is increasingly indispensable for organizations striving to maintain credibility and trust in the face of public challenges.

Despite the growing influence of AI in communication management, the current body of research remains limited, particularly in how AI can be strategically applied to various aspects of communication management. Scholars have called for more comprehensive exploration of the relationship between AI and communication management, including the ethical dilemmas faced by practitioners and the integration of AI tools into existing professional ethics frameworks (Bowen, 2024). Furthermore, research is needed to examine the gaps in AI knowledge among communication professionals and the ways in which training and education can mitigate AI anxiety and facilitate the adoption of AI tools (Zerfass et al., 2020). The application of AI in CSR, crisis communication, and internal communication, though promising, requires further investigation to understand its long-term effects on both organizational strategy and public perception. This special issue seeks to address these gaps in the literature by inviting original, high-quality research that explores AI’s impact on communication management, with a particular focus on its evolving role in strategic communication practices. We aim to provide a platform for scholars to explore both the opportunities and challenges AI presents, offering actionable insights for both researchers and practitioners navigating this rapidly developing field.

Key Themes for Submission

We welcome original research articles, theoretical papers, and case studies that explore the intersection of AI and PR, focusing on the following key areas:

1. AI in Strategic Internal Communication: AI has the potential to revolutionize internal communication in organizations by improving efficiency, enhancing information flow, and optimizing employee experience. 
2. Ethical Implications of AI in Strategic Communication: As AI technologies become more embedded in PR practices, ethical concerns such as misinformation, privacy, and bias arise.
3. AI in Crisis Communication: The use of AI tools for sentiment analysis, media monitoring, and public sentiment management is increasingly essential in crisis communication.
4. AI and Investor Relations: AI’s role in investor relations is becoming increasingly evident as organizations utilize AI tools for market analysis, information dissemination, and shareholder communication.
5. AI in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR): AI-powered chatbots and other digital tools are being increasingly used to engage with publics in CSR communication.
6. Human-Robot Interaction in Strategic Communication: The rise of AI-driven communication tools, such as chatbots and virtual assistants, has led to growing interest in human-robot interaction in PR.
7. AI and Public Trust: Transparency in AI algorithms is essential for building trust between organizations and their stakeholders.
8. The Future of AI in Strategic Communication Practice: The potential for AI to reshape PR practices is immense, yet its widespread adoption is often hindered by barriers such as a lack of understanding, AI anxiety, and the fear of job displacement.

Submission guidelines

Submissions are made using ScholarOne Manuscripts. Registration and access are available here.

Author guidelines must be strictly followed. Please see here.

Authors should select (from the drop-down menu) the special issue title at the appropriate step in the submission process, i.e. in response to ““Please select the issue you are submitting to”.

Submitted articles must not have been previously published, nor should they be under consideration for publication anywhere else, while under review for this journal.

Key deadlines

Closing date for manuscript submissions: 01/02/2026

Final acceptance date for manuscripts: 01/11/2026

We invite scholars from various disciplines—including communication, public relations, marketing, AI ethics, and media studies—to contribute their research to this special issue. By examining both the potential and challenges of integrating AI into PR practices, this issue aims to contribute actionable insights for both researchers and practitioners navigating the evolving landscape of AI-enhanced communication.

Contact information

For further inquiries or if you have any questions about the call for papers, please contact:

• Dr. Alice/Yang Cheng, North Carolina State University, ycheng20@ncsu.edu
• Dr. April Yue, Boston University, aprilyue@bu.edu

We look forward to receiving your submissions and fostering a rich academic conversation on the intersection of artificial intelligence and communication management.

References

Bowen, S. A. (2024). If it can be done, it will be done: AI ethical standards and a dual role for public relations. Public Relations Review, 50(5), 102513. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pubrev.2024.102513

Cheng, Y., & Jiang, H. (2020). How do AI-driven chatbots impact user experience? Examining gratifications, perceived privacy risk, satisfaction, loyalty, and continued use. Journal of Broadcasting and Electronic Media, 65(4), 592-614. https://doi.org/10.1080/08838151.2020.1834296

Cheng, Y., & Jiang, H. (2021). Customer-brand relationship in the era of artificial intelligence: Understanding the role of chatbot marketing efforts. Journal of Product and Brand Management, 31(2), 252-264. https://doi.org/10.1108/JPBM-05-2020-2907

Cheng, Y., Wang, Y., & Lee, J. (2024a). Using a chatbot to combat misinformation: Exploring gratifications, chatbot satisfaction and engagement, and relationship quality, International Journal of Human-Computer Interaction. 1-13, https://doi.org/10.1080/10447318.2024.2344149

Cheng, Y., Lee, J., & Qiao, J-Z. (2024b). AI and crisis communication. In Timothy Coombs (eds.). Media and Crisis Communication. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781032619187-9

Cheng, Y., & Wang, Y. (2025). Leveraging artificial intelligence–powered chatbots for nonprofit organizations: Examining the antecedents and outcomes of chatbot trust and social media engagement. Journal of Philanthropy, 30, e70013. https://doi.org/10.1002/nvsm.70013

Jiang, H., Cheng, Y., Park, K.-Y., & Gao, S. B. (2021). AI-powered chatbot communication with customers: Dialogic interactions, satisfaction, engagement, and customer behavior. Computers in Human Behavior. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2022.107329

Jiang, Y. N., Cheng, Y., & Wang, Y. (2024). Leveraging AI’s power in CSR initiatives: How social-oriented chatbots influence Chinese consumers’ supportive actions via dialogic communication. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4767411

Laskin, A. V., & D’Agostino, G. (2024). The Delphi Panel investigation of artificial intelligence in investor relations. Public Relations Review, 50(4), 102489. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pubrev.2024.102489

Soriano, A., & Valdés, R. (2021). Engaging universe 4.0: The case for forming a public relations-strategic intelligence hybrid. Public Relations Review, 47(2). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pubrev.2021.10203

Yue, C. A., Men, L. R., Mitson, R., Davis, D. Z., & Zhou, A. (2024a). Artificial intelligence for internal communication: Strategies, challenges, and implications. Public Relations Review, 50(5), 102515. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pubrev.2024.102515

Yue, C. A., Men, L. R., Davis, D. Z., Mitson, R., Zhou, A., & Al Rawi, A. (2024b). Public Relations Meets Artificial Intelligence: Assessing Utilization and Outcomes. Journal of Public Relations Research, 36(6), 513-534. https://doi.org/10.1080/1062726X.2024.2400622

Zerfass, A., Hagelstein, J., & Tench, R. (2020). Artificial intelligence in communication management: A cross-national study on adoption and knowledge, impact, challenges and risks. Journal of Communication Management. https://doi.org/10.1108/jcom-10-2019-0137