Business Communication Today, 16th Edition
"AI is changing too fast; won't this content be outdated quickly?"
We've designed this edition to focus on timeless principles rather than specific tools.
You're absolutely right that AI tools evolve rapidly. That's precisely why we don't teach students to use ChatGPT 5.0 or any particular platform. Instead, we teach them how to collaborate effectively with AI, regardless of which tool emerges next.
The communication principles we cover—effective prompting, ethical standards, blending human creativity with AI efficiency—transfer to any AI tool. Think of it like teaching students to drive: you teach traffic laws, spatial awareness, and decision-making that work with any vehicle, not just how to operate one specific car.
What instructors tell us: Faculty using our previous editions report that students successfully apply these principles to new AI tools that didn't even exist when they learned the concepts.
"I need to focus on writing fundamentals, not technology"
Our approach actually strengthens fundamental skills.
You're absolutely right that fundamentals matter most. Here's what we've found: When students spend an hour researching and formatting a routine email, how much time remains for mastering persuasive messaging, audience analysis, and tone?
Our integrated approach amplifies fundamental skills. When AI handles research and initial drafting, students invest more time in critical thinking, emotional intelligence, and strategic communication. They're not learning less about writing—they're learning to write at a higher level.
Think of AI as a research assistant and writing partner, not a replacement for thinking. Students still need to master audience analysis, purpose, structure, and style. They simply have better tools to execute their vision.
"Won't students just use AI to cheat instead of learning to write?"
Students are already using AI—often poorly and unethically. The question is whether we teach them to use it responsibly.
This is a legitimate concern. Our approach actually reduces inappropriate use because students learn to:
- Cite AI assistance properly
- Understand when human input is essential
- Develop original thinking skills that AI can't replicate
- Distinguish between AI as a collaborator versus AI as a crutch
Consider how we approach calculators in math class. We don't ban them—we teach proper use. Students still need to understand mathematical concepts; they just have tools for complex calculations. The same principle applies here. Students still develop ideas, analyze audiences, and make strategic decisions. AI helps them execute more efficiently.
What we're seeing: Instructors report higher-quality work because students focus more on critical thinking and less on mechanical tasks.
"I don't know enough about AI to teach this effectively"
You don't need to become an AI expert—you're already the communication expert your students need.
Your instructor resources include everything you need: lesson plans, discussion guides, sample exercises, and suggested responses to student questions. You're teaching communication principles you already know; the materials show how AI enhances those lessons.
This positions you as a forward-thinking educator preparing students for the real workplace. Your students don't need you to be the AI expert—they need you to be the communication expert who helps them use AI wisely. That's exactly what you already are.
"Our curriculum is already packed—we don't have time to add AI content"
You're not adding content; you're enhancing what you already teach.
Instead of spending a week on research methods, you spend that week teaching research methods with AI tools. Instead of three email assignments, you do three assignments where students learn email writing while collaborating with AI. Same learning objectives, enhanced execution.
Many instructors actually save time because students complete certain tasks more efficiently, leaving more class time for discussion, peer review, and higher-order thinking activities.
You're not teaching "AI and communication"—you're teaching communication in the modern workplace. It's evolution, not addition.
Time-saving benefit: Students handle routine formatting and research faster, so you can spend more time on the analysis and strategy work you value most.
"I'm comfortable with my current textbook—why change what's working?"
Consider what your students will need two years from now.
You've built a successful program, and that's valuable. Here's the question: How will your graduates compete when employers increasingly expect AI collaboration skills as standard workplace competencies?
Companies are already asking about AI skills in interviews. Your current approach might work for today's classroom, but does it prepare students for tomorrow's workplace?
You keep all the communication fundamentals that work while adding modern skills that keep your students competitive. Early adopters give their students an advantage—they're the ones getting the best opportunities because they have skills other programs aren't teaching yet.
You're not changing because something's broken—you're evolving to stay ahead.
"What if the AI features don't actually help students learn?"
Let's look at what's happening in classrooms using this approach.
Students demonstrate measurably better performance on key skills:
- Audience analysis improves because they can quickly research target demographics
- Persuasive writing scores increase through more draft iterations
- Presentation skills improve with more time for delivery practice instead of slide creation
The AI isn't doing the thinking—it removes barriers that prevent deep thinking. Instead of getting stuck on citation formatting, students focus on argument development. Instead of writer's block on first drafts, they refine and personalize their messages.
This isn't about making things easier—it's about making learning more effective.
Why Business Communication Today is Your Ideal Choice
Business Communication Today prepares students for the workplace they're actually entering—not the one that existed five years ago.
This edition seamlessly integrates AI collaboration skills with timeless communication fundamentals. Your students learn audience analysis, persuasive writing, and strategic messaging while mastering the AI tools they'll use throughout their careers. It's not technology for technology's sake—it's practical preparation for modern business communication.
You'll appreciate the flexibility. Whether you're an early AI adopter or just beginning to explore these tools, our comprehensive instructor resources support your teaching style. Lesson plans, discussion guides, and sample exercises make implementation straightforward, regardless of your technical background.
The results speak for themselves: instructors report higher-quality student work, more engaging class discussions, and graduates who confidently enter the job market with skills employers actively seek.
You're not just teaching business communication—you're preparing students for competitive advantage. While other programs debate whether to address AI, your students will graduate knowing how to collaborate effectively with these tools while maintaining the critical thinking, emotional intelligence, and strategic communication skills that make them irreplaceable.
While Business Communication Today, 16th Edition delivers fully updated coverage for the AI-driven workplace of 2025, most competing texts won’t release their next revisions until 2028 or 2029. That means your students would be studying from content written for a world that no longer exists—before generative AI, before remote collaboration became the norm, and before employers began demanding AI literacy as a core skill. By adopting Business Communication Today now, you ensure your students stay ahead of the curve rather than waiting years for competitors to catch up.
Business Communication Today evolves your curriculum without overwhelming it, positioning both you and your students at the forefront of business communication education.
Order an examination copy or make a request to your local Pearson representative.
