AI Is Here — But It’s Not Taking Over

We can’t ignore it anymore: AI is speeding things up. Drafting slides, summarizing calls, shaping storylines — what used to take hours can now happen in minutes. That’s exciting, but it also means expectations are higher. If anyone can use AI to get a “good enough” first draft, what makes our work valuable?

The answer isn’t to compete with the machine — it’s to go where AI can’t. Strategy. Storytelling. Judgment. Helping presenters feel confident and helping organizations get their message right. AI can accelerate the process, but it still needs a human who understands the audience, the business, and the bigger picture.

“The misconception is that AI will take our jobs; it’s actually evolving our industry.” — Dekishea Gordon

Accessibility Is Becoming the New Normal

Another big theme: accessibility isn’t optional anymore — and that’s a good thing. It’s a sign of respect for every audience and a way to make our work more inclusive and professional.

Think color contrast that works for everyone, captions that help people follow along, alt text that makes content usable for screen readers, and images that reflect the people you’re talking to. These practices aren’t just checkboxes; they’re how we show we care about communication that reaches everyone. And, bonus, they help take the heat out of subjective design debates by giving us clear standards to follow.

“Accessibility is the language of respect.” — Courtney Allen

Data Storytelling Needs More Than Slides

Presentations aren’t just a deck anymore. They’re part of a bigger communication package — what you show live, what you leave behind, and sometimes even motion graphics or interactive visuals.

The key is deciding what belongs where. What’s essential to land in the room? What needs a deeper dive later? What data really moves the decision forward? Great data storytelling doesn’t mean cramming everything onto a slide; it’s about making the evidence clear and convincing in the moment and easy to revisit afterward.

Our Roles Are Evolving — And That’s Exciting

If there’s one message to take away, it’s this: the job of a “slide maker” is fading. The future belongs to people who help shape ideas, influence decisions, and drive communication strategy.

That might mean specializing — maybe you’re the template expert, the data storyteller, the presentation coach, or the tech systems pro. Or it might mean carving out a new role entirely, showing your organization how presentations drive alignment, revenue, and speed. Many of the most successful professionals aren’t waiting for those jobs to exist — they’re creating them.

The Bottom Line

The tools are evolving fast. Standards like accessibility are rising. AI is changing how we work, but not replacing the value we bring. What matters most now is the human side of our craft: making meaning, building confidence, and helping ideas land with impact.

For those of us who love presentations, this is an exciting time. The work is becoming more strategic, more creative, and more influential. Our challenge — and our opportunity — is to lean into that future: use AI as an accelerator, embrace accessibility as a given, and show how great presentation strategy drives real business results.

“We have to stop being ‘beautifiers’ and step into strategic communication.” — Kirk Patel