Increased Demand for Communication Skills Amid the Rise of Generative AI
The surge in generative artificial intelligence (AI) has made vibe coding and AI proficiency sought-after qualifications on résumés.
Yet, an intriguing trend has emerged: technology firms are increasingly willing to offer premium salaries for expertise in a timeless skill that transcends AI—effective communication.
Last year, Andreessen Horowitz unveiled its New Media team with the objective of arming founders with strategies to “succeed in the narrative battle online.” Similarly, Adobe is on the lookout for an “AI evangelist” to spearhead its “artificial intelligence storytelling” initiatives.
Netflix, which curates narrative experiences, recently advertised a director of product and technology communications position with a salary cap reaching $775,000. Microsoft also ventured into print by launching a magazine titled Signal, aiming to counterbalance the fleeting nature of digital content.
In a related move, Anthropic expanded its communications division, increasing its workforce to approximately 80 and continuing to hire, offering roles with salaries of around $200,000 or more.
OpenAI’s communications postings list salaries exceeding $400,000. By contrast, the average director of communications in the United States garners approximately $106,000, as reported by Indeed.
In the wake of ChatGPT’s mainstream adoption three years ago, outcomes have been varied: within tech entities, vibe coding appears to be diminishing the demand for entry-level software developers.
Across various industries, some employees resort to producing verbose and lackluster content rapidly generated by AI, leading to inefficiencies and fractures in workplace trust.
Sam Altman, OpenAI’s CEO, remarked last year on the emergence of an “AI accent” affecting digital discourse, which many now perceive as disingenuous.
Amid widespread concerns regarding generative AI potentially displacing jobs, the ease with which AI produces content has paradoxically intensified the need for skilled human communicators.
Gab Ferree, founder of Off the Record, a community aimed at communications professionals, notes that one would expect the surge in AI-generated content to reduce the need for communications specialists. However, the opposite is unfolding.
Technology firms are actively recruiting writers, editors, and chief communications officers who collaborate closely with CEOs and so-called “storytellers.”
According to a recent report by The Wall Street Journal, mentions of “storyteller” in job postings on LinkedIn have doubled between 2024 and 2025.
In an industry characterized by fierce competition, where startups strive for viability and major technology players vie for supremacy, a compelling narrative serves as a crucial asset. Ferree posits that consumers are willing to invest in authentic narratives due to the overwhelming volume of subpar content available.
The trend towards valuing storytelling and lucrative communications roles has been resonating for some time, according to Jenna Birch, founder of SISU, a consultancy for startups and venture capitalists.
As Silicon Valley’s prominence has soared over the last two decades, tech companies have been poised to offer remarkable salaries amidst declining employment for journalists.
The rise of content marketing has underscored the necessity of building a strong brand presence on social media and optimizing blog entries for search engine visibility.
Recently, the demands placed on communications professionals have broadened considerably. They are now required to navigate large language models, oversee company blogs, develop comprehensive narratives that distinguish a firm from its competitors, and articulate their CEO’s voice across platforms like LinkedIn and Substack.
A report from the Observatory on Corporate Reputation indicates that roles for chief communications officers, with expanded responsibilities incorporating marketing or human resources, grew from 90 in 2019 to 169 in 2024.
The median salary for a CCO at a Fortune 500 company now stands between $400,000 and $450,000—a notable increase of $50,000 from 2023, as noted by a Korn Ferry survey.
If everyone’s a writer, then nobody’s a writer, and I think it’s very evident right now.Cristin Culver, founder of Common Thread Communications
As the nature of communications roles evolves and the demand for narrative craftsmanship escalates, experts contend that the pool of professionals capable of adapting to rapidly shifting landscapes may be limited, prompting companies to offer substantial compensation to attract top-tier talent.
Similar patterns are emerging in the realm of AI specialists, further incentivizing tech companies to lure elite professionals from competing organizations.
While the salaries for communicators may not rival the astronomical figures seen in AI, Birch observes that creatives are progressively becoming “the high-value individuals in tech.”
Historically, software developers were once viewed as the industry’s most prestigious talent. Educational institutions and coding bootcamps sought to address workforce shortages, emphasizing coding as a pathway to lucrative careers.
However, as of 2023, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York reported a 6.1% unemployment rate for recent computer science graduates, juxtaposed with a 4.5% rate for communications majors.
Additionally, the number of job openings for software engineers witnessed a decline of over 60,000 from 2023 to late 2025, according to CompTIA. Some assert that obtaining a liberal arts degree may provide a robust shield against automation.
While AI simplifies content generation, it has yet to match the artistry of effective writing.
“If everyone’s a writer, then nobody’s a writer, and I think it’s very evident right now,” remarks Cristin Culver. The prevalence of AI-generated posts on LinkedIn often induces a sense of monotony for readers.
“Ironically, during this age of AI, the most compelling storytelling often emanates from those who have recognized the oversaturation of mediocrity and adapted to deliver targeted narratives,” Culver states.
Anthropic has embraced such tactical storytelling, recently launching a pop-up venue dubbed the Claude Cafe in New York, designed to establish the chatbot as a collaborator and intellectual partner.
This initiative encourages in-person engagement, fostering a connection within a setting enriched by books and publications rather than screens (although the firm has also previously destroyed and scanned numerous books for training its model, a decision upheld by a judge as lawful).
According to Sasha de Marigny, promoted to the company’s first CCO after heading communications, “Claude is a pivotal member of the team, with communications professionals acting as detectors of superficiality.”
She emphasizes that critical thinking remains a distinctive advantage for humans. “I seek exemplary strategists who comprehend the evolving landscape and devise comprehensive plans to engage our target audiences.” Anthropic chose not to elaborate further on its communications strategies for this article.
“We’re witnessing a golden era for individuals who genuinely appreciate the art of communication,” states Steve Clayton, CCO of Cisco.
Initially apprehensive about the potential ramifications of ChatGPT, Clayton has grown optimistic, recognizing generative AI as a means for communicators and storytellers to cultivate content that resonates authentically with audiences.
“In an environment where no one is wishing for more emails or podcasts, the real challenge lies in crafting something truly deserving of attention and engagement,” he adds.
Positions where brands develop their own newsrooms are likely to be among the last to experience AI’s encroachment into writing, asserts Noah Greenberg, CEO of Stacker, a content distribution firm.
Unlike traditional media, which hinges on clicks and advertising for revenue, “brands focused on strategic storytelling prioritize crafting several exceptional narratives monthly that establish their authority in their respective domains.”
As with coding and image generation, large language models are poised to continue evolving. While LLMs may one day emulate human-like qualities in their writing, they inherently lack true cognitive processing.
A 2025 study from Columbia Business School indicated a bias in LLMs favoring initial options when selecting from multiple choices. For those engaged in communications, AI may increasingly serve as an ally rather than an adversary, as it enhances the visibility of their work.
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