Western Governors University

D648: Leveraging AI and Technology in Strategic Communications

A guide to the WGU B.S. Communications course on AI in communications, ethical guidelines and technology for productivity.

Updated October 2026 · 5 min read

D648 is a communications course in WGU's Bachelor of Science in Communications, placed in term eight of the standard path.

WGU says it gives students the current landscape of artificial intelligence, its evolution and its impact on communications.

Students explore the ethical implications of using AI and other emerging technologies when creating communications content, gain skills to use them ethically and innovatively, lead teams in devising ethical guidelines for AI in creating communications, and use communication technology to enhance organizational productivity.

Students often find it challenging because the topic moves quickly. The aim is not to know every tool, but to reason about benefits, risks and responsibilities.

Course at a Glance

ItemDetails
UniversityWestern Governors University (WGU)
Code and titleD648, Leveraging AI and Technology in Strategic Communications
ProgramB.S. Communications
LevelUndergraduate
Subject areaAI, ethics and communication technology
Typical workAI use analysis, ethical guidelines and technology recommendations

What D648 Covers

The guide lists three competencies:

Competency (summarized)What it asks of you
Explain how AI can be applied in multiple contextsDescribe uses and limits in communications
Analyze ethical implications of AIWeigh issues such as accuracy, bias, privacy and transparency
Explain how existing and emerging technology can improve communicationsRecommend tools that serve organizational goals

Key Concepts Explained

Ethical Use of AI in Content

Key questions include whether content is accurate, whether it could mislead, whether it reflects bias, what data it uses and whether audiences should be told AI was involved. People remain responsible for what is published.

Example: A team uses AI to draft a social post. Before publishing, a person checks the facts, removes unsupported claims and confirms the tone matches brand guidelines.

Team Guidelines

Written guidelines say what AI may be used for, what must be reviewed, what data must never be entered and who is accountable.

Example: A guideline allows AI for brainstorming and first drafts, requires human review before publication, bans entering confidential client data, and asks staff to note when AI helped.

Typical Assignments and How to Approach Them

Task typeWhat it testsHow to approach it
AI use summaryGrasp of usesGive specific, realistic communication examples
Ethical analysisReasoningName the issue, who is affected and a safeguard
Team guidelinesLeading and clarityWrite clear, usable rules with owners
Tool choiceProductivity and fitLink a tool to a need and note risks

Writing Useful Guidelines

Guidelines are strongest when they are short, concrete and enforceable. Group rules by purpose, such as permitted uses, review steps, data protection and disclosure, and say who checks each one.

A Dependable Order for Ethical Analysis

  1. Describe the use of AI in a specific communications task.
  2. List benefits for speed, scale or quality.
  3. Identify risks such as inaccuracy, bias, privacy or misleading audiences.
  4. Propose safeguards, review steps and accountability.
  5. State a clear recommendation and what you would monitor.

Balanced, specific analysis of this kind is more convincing than a general statement for or against AI.

What a Strong Submission Looks Like

Where D648 Fits in the Program

D648 is placed in term eight of the B.S. Communications standard path, after the planning, delivery and evaluation courses and before Crisis Communication. By now you have written real communications, so you can reason about where AI would help and where a human check is essential.

The sister course in the User Experience Design degree covers the same themes for design, so if you take both, expect similar ethical frameworks with different examples.

Where Students Get Stuck

Study Tips for D648

How We Help with D648

Send your task and rubric. We can tutor you on structuring ethical analysis, prepare a custom response, or edit your own draft for clarity. Our help with this topic is about reasoning and writing, not about producing AI-written submissions.

Work is original, plagiarism-checked and covered by free revisions within the scope of your original request. It supports your learning within WGU's academic integrity rules; you submit your own work. GradeEssays is independent of Western Governors University and cannot promise results.

Put AI Ethics into Words

Share your task and rubric. We provide tutoring, a custom response and editing support.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Where does D648 appear?

In term eight of the B.S. Communications standard path.

What is the course about?

The AI landscape, ethical implications, team guidelines and communication technology for productivity.

How many competencies are listed?

Three.

Do I need to know specific AI tools?

The competencies focus on application, ethics and improvement, so reasoning matters more than tool names.

Can you write my guidelines for submission?

No. We provide tutoring, model examples and editing; you submit your own work.

Should I disclose AI use?

Follow WGU's policies and your course instructions, which set the rules for your work.