2025 is right around the corner! Is your association prepared for the New Year with the top AI and technology trends to meet your members’ needs?
Our blog is here to help! Keep reading for the latest Association Trends and Salesforce research to guide your organization in 2025 on how to leverage AI to meet your members’ evolving expectations.
Ready to learn more about how to practically apply Artificial Intelligence at your association? Watch our on-demand webinar, Generative AI: Going from Experimentation to Deployment. Watch now.
5 association AI trends
Are you ready to equip your association to succeed in 2025? Now’s the time for your organization to embrace Artificial Intelligence (AI), if you haven’t already done so. Since the 2020s, AI has been go-to tech for many companies and individuals. Even if your association isn’t yet using AI, your members already are.
Check out these five top AI technology trends from the latest Association Trends Study to discover how and why your organization should leverage AI:
1. How association members use AI
During their workdays, members are using AI at least a few times each month, with 48% reporting they use AI at least weekly. Here’s the breakdown of how members use AI based on their generational cohort:
- 65% of Generation Z use AI at least weekly or more
- 57% of Millennials use AI at least weekly or more
- 49% of Generation X use AI at least weekly or more
- 28% of Boomers use AI at least weekly or more
2. Member comfort level with how organizations use AI
Does your association use AI yet? If so, how do you use this powerful tool to meet your members’ needs while making them feel safe?
Here are the five top ways members feel the most comfortable with associations using AI:
- Generating newsletters, emails, social media posts: 31% of members feel very comfortable and 70% of members feel somewhat comfortable
- Developing quizzes and assessments: 30% of members feel very comfortable and 66% of members feel somewhat comfortable
- Recommending content, articles, job postings: 29% of members feel very comfortable and 69% of members feel somewhat comfortable
- Recommending programs and services: 29% of members feel very comfortable and 69% of members feel somewhat comfortable
- Creating marketing materials: 29% of members feel very comfortable and 66% of members feel somewhat comfortable
3. Member comfort level of AI by generation
Generation Z is the most comfortable with organizations using AI, but how do the rest of the generations compare? Here’s how:
- Generating newsletters, emails, social media posts: 37% of Gen Z are comfortable, 34% of Millennials, 30% of Gen X, 26% of Boomers
- Developing quizzes and assessments: 36% of Gen Z are comfortable, 37% of Millennials, 26% of Gen X, 23% of Boomers
- Recommending content, articles, job postings: 33% of Gen Z are comfortable, 34% of Millennials, 30% of Gen X, 22% of Boomers
- Recommending programs and services: 39% of Gen Z are comfortable, 36% of Millennials, 28% of Gen X, 18% of Boomers
- Creating marketing materials: 37% of Gen Z are comfortable, 35% of Millennials, 27% of Gen X, 21% of Boomers
- Answering questions via chatbot on the website or at events: 37% of Gen Z are comfortable, 33% of Millennials, 25% of Gen X, 11% of Boomers
- Collecting and analyzing membership information: 29% of Gen Z are comfortable, 32% of Millennials, 22% of Gen X, 18% of Boomers
- Anticipating/predicting your behavior: 34% of Gen Z are comfortable, 22% of Millennials,15% of Gen X, 7% of Boomers
4. Member viewpoints on the positives and negatives AI usage
Just like your association, your members also have positive and negative opinions about AI usage. Specifically, members have the biggest concerns about how AI impacts privacy and ethics.
Here’s why members support organizations using AI:
- Using AI allows the organization to provide support 24/7: 26% agree strongly, 71% agree somewhat
- Using AI shows that the organization is innovative and up to date on technology trends: 26% agree strongly, 65% agree somewhat
- Using AI removes time consuming tasks that enables the organization to provide greater member value and support: 25% agree strongly, 66% agree somewhat
- Using AI allows the organization to make unbiased business decisions: 20% agree strongly, 52% agree somewhat
- Using AI allows the organization to personalize my member experience over time: 18% strongly agree, 60% agree somewhat
- Using AI eliminates human error and risk: 16% strongly agree, 47% agree somewhat
Here’s why members oppose organizations using AI:
- I have concerns about data privacy if the organization using AI: 33% strongly agree, 67% agree somewhat
- AI cannot distinguish right from wrong ethically: 33% strongly agree, 66% agree somewhat
- AI chatbots are not as helpful as talking to a human: 31% agree strongly, 66% agree somewhat
- Content created by AI cannot compare to content created by a human: 24% agree strongly, 58% agree somewhat
- AI is expensive to implement: 18% agree strongly, 49% agree somewhat
5. Member views on privacy and data security
How much of a priority is privacy and data security at your organization? Most members agree that using technology makes them concerned about privacy and data security. On the other hand, most members also agree they are comfortable with technology collecting data on them if it’s for their benefit.
- 66% of members agree that using technology makes them concerned about privacy and data security.
- 54% of members agree they are comfortable with technology collecting data on them if it is for their benefit.
Based on generation, how members view privacy and data security changes even more. Here’s how:
- Gen Z
62% of Gen Z members agree that using technology makes them concerned about privacy and data security. 64% of Gen Z members agree they are comfortable with technology collecting data on them if it is for their benefit. - Millennials
62% of Millennial members agree that using technology makes them concerned about privacy and data security. 58% of Millennial members agree they are comfortable with technology collecting data on them if it is for their benefit. - Gen X
70% of Gen X members agree that using technology makes them concerned about privacy and data security. 57% of Gen X members agree they are comfortable with technology collecting data on them if it is for their benefit. - Boomers
68% of Millennial members agree that using technology makes them concerned about privacy and data security. 39% of Millennial members agree they are comfortable with technology collecting data on them if it is for their benefit.
3 Salesforce AI trends
Did you know that 41% of employee time is spent on repetitive, low-impact work? With AI tools, your association can transform staff processes and revolutionize member relationships.
Here are the top three Salesforce AI trends to help your association succeed in 2025:
1. AI advancements will increase ease and activation
According to Salesforce research, the latest AI tools will make it easier for your association to leverage AI within your day-to-day operations, supporting specific processes. AI tools will also provide more actionable insights, enhancing your organization’s productivity and putting you on track to hit your goals.
2. AI analytics will be ambient
New AI tools will deliver insights in real time, embedded in everyday interactions. For example, ambient AI analytics might include suggestions when writing an email, recommendations when scheduling a meeting, or a notification on a phone, tablet, or other smart device.
Your members are looking for 24/7 support from your organization. 71% of members agree that associations using AI tools (like ambient analytics) can better provide this desired support, so it might be time for your organization to consider embracing the latest AI has to offer.
3. AI tools will help you navigate, analyze, and define your organization
Did you know that Gartner reports, 80% of enterprise data is unstructured? Having unstructured data at your association is often the most valuable but also the most difficult to understand.
When your organization leverages the best AI solutions, you’ll be equipped to navigate your unstructured data, make decisions, and act in 2025. With the right AI tools and clear data, you’ll be more aware of member behavior and prepared to exceed member expectations. Additionally, with better awareness of all your data, you’ll be ready to protect your members’ privacy and security.
In 2025 your members will be looking for more from your association. With the right AI solutions, your organization can deliver a personalized member experience and offer the latest membership benefits.
