In the race to leverage the transformative potential of generative AI (gen AI), associations often face a familiar challenge: internal competition. Chapters, committees, and departments may vie to showcase their AI advancements, driven by metrics, recognition, or the desire to lead innovation. While competition can inspire individual excellence, it can hinder the broader, mission-aligned progress that associations require to effectively serve their members.

The gen AI revolution demands collaboration—sharing insights, breaking down silos, and innovating collectively to overcome challenges, address risks, and leverage opportunities.

The Pitfalls of Internal Competition for Gen AI Initiatives

The instinct to compete is common within associations. Volunteer leaders and staff may feel pressure to outperform others, deliver impactful results, or claim ownership of innovations. While this drive can occasionally lead to breakthroughs, it often has unintended consequences in the gen AI context.

Gen AI thrives on iterative learning and experimentation. Not all experiments succeed, but failures can offer valuable lessons. Unfortunately, a culture of competition discourages teams from sharing their setbacks. For fear of losing credibility or support, teams may avoid discussing mistakes, depriving others of opportunities to learn and innovate more effectively.

Moreover, internal silos foster inefficiency. In one professional association for which I consulted, two chapters independently developed gen AI-driven event planning tools. Neither group was aware of the other’s efforts due to a competitive, siloed culture. This duplication wasted time and resources, and the lack of collaboration prevented the creation of a unified model that could have delivered far greater insights. Ultimately, the association needed to undertake significant culture change and relationship-building initiatives to foster better cross-functional cooperation as part of their AI strategy.

Collaboration Unlocks the Full Potential of Gen AI Initiatives

The key to unlocking gen AI’s transformative potential lies in collaboration. By bringing together diverse perspectives from chapters, committees, and staff, associations can develop richer, more innovative solutions than isolated efforts can achieve.

For example, a national healthcare association of about 20 staff struggled with inconsistent member engagement across its regional chapters. As a consultant, I introduced a collaborative approach that brought together chapter leaders, the IT team, and the membership committee.

Pooling data from event attendance, member surveys, and digital interactions, they developed a gen AI-powered engagement strategy. The AI system identified patterns that allowed chapters to tailor programming and outreach more effectively, resulting in a 25 percent increase in member retention and a 30 percent boost in event participation within a year. The breakthrough wasn’t just in the technology—it stemmed from the collective expertise and coordinated effort of the entire organization.

The Building Blocks of Collaboration

To foster a culture of collaboration, associations must create intentional structures and processes—because effective collaboration goes beyond a willingness to work together. It depends on clear frameworks and supportive leadership.

1. Establish Knowledge-Sharing Platforms

Creating formal opportunities for knowledge exchange is critical. Innovation forums, cross-functional task forces, or regular gen AI summits can enable teams to share experiments, insights, and challenges. For instance, a state-level engineering association I advised introduced quarterly “AI Innovation Rounds.” During these sessions, chapters presented their ongoing projects, such as using AI to streamline certification renewals or improve conference scheduling.

2. Use Collaborative Tools and Technologies

Collaboration tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, or project management platforms can facilitate seamless communication across geographically dispersed teams. These tools enable real-time updates, data sharing, and brainstorming, breaking down barriers to cooperation.

In one association dedicated to urban planning, a gen AI-driven tool was used to analyze zoning regulation data for member training resources. Using Trello, the training and advocacy teams coordinated their efforts, merging insights from their respective projects. The result was a unified resource hub that increased member satisfaction scores by 20 percent and streamlined the staff’s workflow.

3. Foster Leadership That Champions Collaboration

Leadership plays a pivotal role in cultivating collaboration. Recognizing and rewarding cross-functional efforts can shift the organizational mindset from competition to collective success. Awards for collaborative achievements or public recognition for teamwork send a strong message about the value of working together.

Overcoming Resistance to Collaboration

Despite its benefits, fostering collaboration can be challenging. Teams accustomed to working independently may resist sharing their projects or fear losing control over their contributions. Associations can address these concerns by embedding collaboration into their workflows from the outset.

When launching gen AI initiatives, leaders should design cross-functional teams that draw on diverse skills and perspectives. This approach not only produces stronger solutions but also normalizes collaboration as a standard operating procedure. For example, a legal association developing a gen AI-powered research assistant included representatives from their continuing education committee, their IT staff, and member volunteers. By working together, they created a resource that met a broad spectrum of member needs while fostering a sense of shared ownership.

Additionally, leaders must clearly communicate the value of collaboration. Highlighting successful examples and emphasizing tangible benefits—such as faster project completion, reduced costs, or improved member satisfaction—can build organizational buy-in.

Beyond enhancing individual gen AI initiatives, collaboration creates lasting organizational value. Shared knowledge becomes an evolving repository of insights and best practices, enabling future teams to build on prior successes. This collective intelligence accelerates innovation cycles and improves outcomes over time.

Collaboration also enhances agility. In the fast-evolving gen AI landscape, associations with strong collaborative cultures are better equipped to adapt to new challenges and opportunities. They can pivot quickly, leveraging their collective expertise to remain at the forefront of their profession’s needs.

Conclusion

Collaboration isn’t just a best practice for gen AI—it’s a strategic advantage. Associations that embrace collaboration will not only advance their missions but also strengthen their ability to serve members and elevate their professions.