Our Commitment to Remain People-Focused

Our Stance on AI & Automation: A Human-Centered Approach to Communications

We believe that genuine human connection delivers lasting results. In today's AI-driven world, we have chosen to let our core values—authenticity, accessibility, and trust—guide every aspect of our work, including how we use AI.


Intentional human connection is at the heart of everything we do. While AI and other automated tools can be an important part of delivering value and efficiency for our clients, we feel they must never replace the foundation of our work. 

The use of AI is changing the communications landscape before our eyes. Today, it is common for people to assume companies are automating everything. At Appius Communications, we are committed to demonstrating that our work remains deeply human-centered.

What This Means for You: Our Practical Approach

  • No AI-Generated Final Deliverables: Your completed projects will always be created by our dedicated staff, ensuring that authentic human insights and personal nuances are not missing.

  • Experience-Based Work: We may use automated tools for research and support, but the strategies we provide are informed by our team's personal experience and by developing deep community connections.

  • Quality & Value: We're dedicated to efficiency and accessible pricing, but never at the expense of the quality or comprehensive nature of our work. The DNA of our company is rooted in the non-profit and local government sectors where time and funding are always limited.

  • Transparency & Accountability: We'll always be upfront about our use of technology. You will know our methods, our sources, and it is our commitment to always uphold the highest ethical standards.

Beyond the Hype: Why Trust Matters

We're taking a public stance on AI because building trust is fundamental to the values of Appius Communications. We are clear-eyed about AI's limitations, especially when it comes to effective communication.

Understanding AI's Limitations:

  • Experience Over Algorithms: AI excels at answering questions, but it struggles to identify if you're heading in the wrong direction. Experience, intuition, and flexibility provide an edge over those who rely on AI to provide them the answers.

  • Protecting Creativity & Critical Thinking: Studies suggest that using AI excessively can hinder creativity, critical thinking, and overall cognitive abilities. We believe our clients deserve to be served by professionals who are continually enhancing their skills, not diminishing them.

  • "How Do You Know What You Don’t Know if You Don’t Know You Don’t Know It": AI can't help you with the questions you don't even know to ask. True strategic thinking uncovers hidden opportunities and challenges.

  • Combating "AI Hallucinations": AI tools can sometimes confidently provide false information or incorrect data. We rigorously evaluate and confirm all information used in our work.

How AI Falls Short: Community-Focused Communications & Rural Outreach

For us, genuine local communications demand an understanding that AI simply cannot replicate:

  • Understanding Unique, Local Cultures: Effective local communications utilize informal networks, cultural insights, and a nuanced understanding that large language models (LLMs) cannot master at this time. Remember, AI learns from publicly available data; true community understanding comes from direct connection lived experiences.

  • Building Trust Through Human Interaction: AI cannot replace the interpersonal communication essential for building trust and legitimacy. We will actually pick up the phone and personally reach out to build relationships and truly understand local needs.

  • Respecting Local Values & Overcoming Bias: We understand that clients and community partners, particularly in rural areas, value people-focused approaches. Our commitment is to respect local values, culture, and traditions. Furthermore, AI and automated tools can be biased due to disproportionate training data coming from sources that are not representative of rural regions.

References and Resources:

Zhai, C., Wibowo, S. & Li, L.D. The effects of over-reliance on AI dialogue systems on students' cognitive abilities: a systematic review. Smart Learn. Environ. 11, 28 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40561-024-00316-7 

Vieriu, A. M., & Petrea, G. (2025). The Impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on Students’ Academic Development. Education Sciences, 15(3), 343. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci15030343 

Metz, Cade, and Karen Weise. “A.I. Hallucinations Are Getting Worse, Even as New Systems Become More Powerful.” The New York Times, 5 May 2025, www.nytimes.com/2025/05/05/technology/ai-hallucinations-chatgpt-google.html. 

“Rural Poll Shows Many Unfamiliar with and Distrustful of AI | Nebraska Today.” Unl.edu, 2024, news.unl.edu/article/rural-poll-shows-many-unfamiliar-with-and-distrustful-of-ai. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025. 

McNealy, Jasmine, 'Rural Inclusion in AI Policy: Rural Disadvantage in Policy Participation' (20 Mar. 2025), in Philipp Hacker (ed.), Oxford Intersections: AI in Society (Oxford, online edn, Oxford Academic, 20 Mar. 2025 - ), https://doi.org/10.1093/9780198945215.003.0098, accessed 20 Aug. 2025.

Ethical and Bias Considerations in Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning Hanna, Matthew G. et al. Modern Pathology, Volume 38, Issue 3, 100686

Chow, Andrew R. “ChatGPT May Be Eroding Critical Thinking Skills, according to a New MIT Study.” TIME, Time, 17 June 2025, time.com/7295195/ai-chatgpt-google-learning-school/.