Joanne Sweeney
AI Playbook - The Strategic Guide to AI with Joanne Sweeney Ep 263 - The Global Discussion
Joanne Sweeney, the author of AI Playbook, CEO of the Public Sector Marketing Institute, and Owner of the Digital Training Institute, joins Host Simon Hodgkins on this episode of The Global Discussion.
Joanne has worked at the intersection of journalism, communications, and digital transformation for many years, constantly adapting her skills to stay ahead of change. She has carved out a unique space as a trusted authority in public sector communications. In this episode, Joanne shares her journey from her early days as a journalist to becoming a leading voice on AI, digital strategy, and government communications.
A Career Built on Staying Ahead
With a determination to keep her skills sharp and relevant as a guiding principle, that mindset has taken her from broadcast journalism to becoming a sought-after communications trainer, consultant, and now an international speaker and author.
Public Sector Marketing
One of the pivotal moments Joanne described was when she realized that to truly scale her expertise, she needed to niche down. That insight led to the creation of the Public Sector Marketing Institute, a global hub for training, events, and resources tailored to government and public sector agencies.
Her work has included launching Ireland’s first Public Sector Digital Marketing Summit, authoring multiple books, and assisting public sector organizations worldwide in modernizing their communications. As Joanne put it, transparency is the currency of the digital age, and she has made it her mission to help public bodies build trust with citizens.
The Power of Books and Thought Leadership
Joanne is a prolific author. Her early work on social media and policing opened doors to international speaking opportunities, including a keynote address at a Chiefs of Police conference in Arizona. Her book Public Sector Marketing Pro became required reading in universities, further cementing her authority in the field.
Her latest project is her most ambitious yet. The AI Playbook offers a practical guide to moving from “AI zero to AI hero.” Written after two years of hands-on research, client work, and teaching, it covers policy, ethics, technology, tools, and real-world use cases. Joanne describes it as her best book yet, and it reflects her broader ambition to help both public sector and corporate audiences navigate the AI era with confidence.
The Content Flywheel
Books are only one part of Joanne’s strategy. She has also built a portfolio of podcasts, webinars, white papers, and training programs, all designed to lead with value. Her philosophy is simple: be generous with knowledge, show people what you can do, and when they are ready to engage, you’ll already be top of mind.
Her podcasts, including The Public Sector Marketing Show and the new AI in Six, showcase her ability to translate complex topics into accessible insights. She sees audio as a compelling medium, describing it as intimate, trusted, and highly searchable.
AI Assistants and the Future of Work
Looking ahead, Joanne is focused on turning her extensive body of work into AI-driven products. She is developing an AI assistant trained on 15 years of her original content, designed to act as a virtual version of herself for clients. She also plans to create enterprise-ready solutions that can be deployed within government and public sector IT systems, addressing data security concerns while scaling her expertise globally.
A Voice of Authority in a Time of Change
Joanne emphasized the importance of originality and authenticity. At a recent Harvard executive program on AI and public policy, she came away with a clear message: original content has never been more valuable. In her words, “AI plus me equals better.”
That philosophy sums up Joanne Sweeney’s approach. By combining decades of lived experience with cutting-edge digital and AI tools, she continues to lead from the front, helping organizations communicate with clarity, trust, and purpose in a fast-changing world.
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