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April 30, 2025

Ways You’re Already Using AI

association professional using AI to improve member engagement

AI isn’t the future, it’s already here. There are many ways you are likely using it! From boosting member engagement to optimizing event planning, AI is transforming the way associations operate day-to-day.

For some, diving into the world of AI feels like second nature. For others, it can be a bit intimidating. But here’s some reassurance:

  • You’re probably already using AI in your daily work and life—without realizing it
  • You don’t need to start from scratch. Instead, look at the work you already do and ask yourself: How could AI make this easier?

While AI seems like the newest buzzword, it’s been behind the scenes for years. In fact, Higher Logic hosted a webinar on AI all the way back in 2018. (Yep, we’ve been thinking about this for a while.)

Some familiar ways AI has been quietly helping us:

  • Spam Filters: Your inbox uses AI to keep the junk out.
  • Search Engines: Google uses AI to understand what you’re really looking for.
  • Recommendations: Whether it’s a show on Netflix or a book on Amazon, AI is behind the suggestions.
  • Voice Assistants: Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant help you get things done with just your voice.
  • Autocorrect: That helpful (sometimes too helpful) fix in your texts? That’s also AI.

Now, more sophisticated AI tools are becoming easier and more accessible. And for association professionals, that means huge opportunities you simply can’t miss.

Member Engagement & Personalization

AI is making it easier than ever to give members the personalized experiences they expect. Here’s how: 

  • AI Assistants and Chatbots: Offer 24/7 support and answer common questions instantly 
  • Personalized Content Recommendations: Suggest relevant discussions, events, or articles based on member behavior 
  • Automated Email Segmentation: Target the right members with the right messages 
  • Renewal Reminders: Automatically remind members when it’s time to renew—no manual follow-up needed 

Imagine your members getting the right info at the right time, without extra effort on your part.  

 

 

woman managing online community on laptop

Community Management

AI isn’t just for marketing—it can supercharge your community too. 

  • Search Assistant: Answers member questions using your existing knowledge base—quickly and accurately 
  • Ask Your Fellow Humans: If AI can’t find the answer, it can draft a discussion post to ask the community for help 
  • AI-Suggested Tagging: Upload multiple resources and let AI help categorize them 
  • Smart Campaigns: Automatically reach out to members who need a nudge to engage, with targeted, goal-oriented emails 

It’s like having a digital community manager working behind the scenes.

Marketing & Communications

Reach your members where they are—with less manual effort. 

  • Smarter Segmentation: Target the right people with the right messages based on AI insights 
  • Repurpose Content: Turn a long webinar into bite-sized social posts or a blog post into an email campaign 

Less time writing, more time connecting. 

Data Insights & Decision-Making

AI helps turn your data into actionable insights.

  • Automated Reporting: Get consistent reports without spending hours in spreadsheets
  • Data Warehouse: Aggregate and query your data to uncover trends, personalize at scale, and make faster decisions
  • Predictive Analytics: Understand what members are likely to do next—and act on it

No crystal ball needed—just smart data.

membership staff exploring ways to use AI to analyze data

So, How Can You Start?

You don’t have to build AI from scratch. In fact, many tools you already use have AI built in. At Higher Logic, for example, we’re making AI features available inside the platforms you already use.

Higher Logic Thrive Marketing:

  • Targeted email segmentation
  • Automated welcome and renewal campaigns
  • AI email writing assistant
  • Personalized “Smart” newsletter content
  • Automated reporting

Higher Logic Thrive Community:

  • AI Search Assistant for quick answers
  • Smart Campaigns to drive engagement, keep member information up-to-date, and more
  • AI-suggested tagging and bulk uploads
  • Personalized community digests

And coming soon: A powerful data warehouse to unify your data and unlock next-level insights.

Ready to Put AI to Work?

Ask yourself:

  • Are there projects you’ve always wanted to tackle but never had the time?
  • Are there repetitive tasks that eat up your day?
  • Could you better personalize your outreach if you had the right tools?

Chances are, AI can help.

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Harness the power of AI in your association today.

Learn more about the AI features available in Higher Logic Thrive.

Brendan Leehe
Brendan Leehe

Brendan Leehe is Higher Logic’s Customer Marketing Manager. He specializes in relationship marketing that drives customer success. By prioritizing customer advocacy and customer voice, he works to enhance the user experience and foster sustained company-client relationships with exceptional communication strategies.