Unit Title: Influencing the Conversation – Building Authority and Driving Responsible Change
Level: Public Engagement and Strategic Impact
Duration: 120–180 minutes (suggested across 2–3 sessions)
🎯 Learning Objectives
By the end of this week, you should be able to:
- Define thought leadership in the context of AI and digital tools.
- Identify your core voice and area of influence.
- Produce and publish high-value AI communication artefacts (articles, talks, frameworks).
- Use strategies to build trust, handle criticism, and remain ethically anchored.
- Understand the mediums and audiences best suited to your expertise.
🧭 Lesson Flow
| Segment | Duration | Format |
|---|---|---|
| 1. What Is Thought Leadership? | 25 min | Definitions and Scope |
| 2. Defining Your Niche and Message | 30 min | Voice Discovery |
| 3. Creating Public-Facing Content | 35 min | Article, Post, Talk |
| 4. Building Trust and Handling Influence | 20 min | Public Integrity |
| 5. Exercises + Knowledge Check | 60–90 min | Writing + Platform Planning |
🧑🏫 1. What Is Thought Leadership?
📖 Teaching Script:
Thought leadership means setting the tone of a field, educating the public, and inspiring change. It isn’t about being loud — it’s about being clear, useful, and responsible.
Especially in AI, where people are overwhelmed or misinformed, your clarity can reshape industries or institutions.
📘 What It Looks Like in Practice:
| Activity | Example |
|---|---|
| Public articles | “The Ethics of AI in Education” in Medium |
| Frameworks or Models | “A 3-Step Prompt Audit Framework” shared on LinkedIn |
| Keynote Talks or Webinars | “AI for the Public Good” at an online summit |
| Community Q&A | Hosting monthly AMAs for nonprofit staff using AI |
| Visual Thought Pieces | Infographics on AI myths, shared on Instagram or Twitter |
🧭 2. Defining Your Niche and Message
📘 Key Positioning Questions:
| Question | Examples |
|---|---|
| What’s your “lane”? | Accessibility? Ethics? AI for small business? |
| Who’s your audience? | Teachers, HR leaders, NGO directors, parents |
| What problem do you solve? | Complexity, fear, misinformation, misuse |
| What’s your unique angle? | Cultural, spiritual, practical, language-based, visual |
🧠 Example Personas:
- The Translator – Turns academic AI concepts into friendly language
- The Reform Advocate – Pushes for AI justice in healthcare or hiring
- The Tools Curator – Reviews, compares, and ranks AI tools weekly
- The Prompt Specialist – Shares use-case-specific prompt systems
✏️ Positioning Prompt:
“I help [audience] use AI to [result], by sharing [your method] in a way that’s [your strength].”
Example:
“I help educators use AI to design inclusive lesson materials, by sharing prompt strategies in a visual-first format.”
🛠️ 3. Creating Public-Facing Content
📘 Formats and When to Use Them:
| Format | Best Use | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Blog post or article | Thought pieces, guides, ethics | Deep, evergreen value |
| LinkedIn post | Tips, updates, tool demos | Short, reach-focused |
| Podcast or interview | Conversations, community | Collaboration, depth |
| Infographic or carousel | Fast visual learning | Ideal for myths or tool comparisons |
| Talk or webinar | Training, keynote, Q&A | Best for live presence building |
📘 Common Post Templates:
- “Things People Get Wrong About…”
- “3 Ways to Use AI for…” (specific group or task)
- “A Prompt That Changed My Workflow”
- “From Bias to Balance: My Ethics Journey with AI”
🌍 4. Building Trust and Handling Influence
📘 Principles of Ethical Leadership:
| Principle | Practice |
|---|---|
| Transparency | Credit tools, disclose limits of AI |
| Humility | Admit when you’re wrong or learning |
| Generosity | Share your methods, not just outcomes |
| Civic-mindedness | Think about impact on equity, access, safety |
🧠 Public Role Challenges:
- Trolls or critics online
- Misinformation backlash
- Platform censorship or takedown
- Unintentional harm (misunderstood advice, copied output)
📘 Defensive Tools:
| Tool | Use |
|---|---|
| Comment policy | Prepares for online feedback situations |
| “Source log” | Shows where ideas came from or were inspired |
| “Clarifying note” | Adds nuance if a post goes viral |
🧪 5. Exercises + Knowledge Check
✅ Exercise 1: Draft a Thought Leadership Post
Pick a specific AI idea you want to explain publicly.
Use the structure:
- Hook (why this matters)
- 2–3 key points
- A personal use-case or insight
- Invite discussion or feedback
✅ Exercise 2: Choose Your Main Platform
Research:
- Where your audience already is
- What format suits your communication style
Then pick ONE platform for consistent thought content (LinkedIn, Medium, Substack, podcast, Instagram, etc.)
✅ Exercise 3: Map Your First Series
Design a 3-post or 3-video content arc:
- Concept introduction
- Demonstration or insight
- Problem-solving with tools or prompts
Write one-sentence goals for each.
🧠 Knowledge Check (10 Questions)
- Define thought leadership in your own words.
- List 3 goals of public AI communication.
- What’s your preferred audience and niche?
- Name two public formats to teach AI concepts.
- What makes a good “intro” post for new followers?
- List one ethical risk in public thought leadership.
- How can you respond to incorrect criticism?
- What’s a good hook sentence for a post on AI in mental health?
- List two things you should include in a live teaching webinar.
- What does public trust in your AI work depend on?
📝 Wrap-Up Assignment (Optional)
Title: “My First Thought Leadership Asset”
Deliverables:
- A 500–800 word article OR a 3-slide visual explainer
- A one-sentence platform strategy
- A short reflection (100–200 words): What kind of voice do you want to be in the AI space?
📦 End-of-Week Deliverables
- ✅ Public post or article drafted
- ✅ Platform selected
- ✅ 3-post series planned
- ✅ Reflection on niche and ethics written
- ✅ Knowledge check completed