By: Natalie Johnson
When Tianna Robinson landed in Davos, Switzerland, for the World Economic Forum, she didn’t expect to have a transformative experience. A celebrated publicist and founder of Intertwined Agency, Robinson had already carved out an enviable lane, shaping narratives for global brands and influential celebrities. But as she sat in rooms filled with policymakers, technologists, and power players, one truth became increasingly clear to her: artificial intelligence isn’t coming. It’s already here. And Black people are not fully represented.
“That was a wake-up call for me,” Robinson says. “Decisions were being made that will impact every aspect of our lives, our jobs, our culture, our media, and we were barely represented. The lack of AI literacy in our community doesn’t just keep us behind. It has the potential to widen the wealth gap and limit access to opportunities that we might not even be aware of.”
That realization spurred a shift. Rather than leave her legacy in communications behind, Robinson chose to expand it. She launched AI for PR, an initiative under Intertwined Agency that aims to equip publicists, entrepreneurs, and creatives with the tools to integrate artificial intelligence into their workflow. While her resources are open to all, her focus is firmly rooted in Black empowerment.
“AI offers opportunities for speed, strategy, and scale,” Robinson explains. “It’s the kind of efficiency that allows a small team or even a solo entrepreneur to do more in less time. When used effectively, it can lead to real financial benefits, greater influence, and increased autonomy. But we need to understand how to leverage it.”
Through AI for PR, professionals learn how to use AI to generate campaign ideas, analyze media trends, build content calendars, and measure impact with a level of precision and agility that traditional tools can’t always provide. But Robinson is clear: this isn’t just about productivity hacks. It’s about empowerment.
“If we don’t get proficient with this technology, we risk losing control over how our stories are told, how our work is valued, and how our communities evolve,” she says. “AI is already influencing which content gets seen, who gets hired, and which narratives receive funding. Without fluency in this technology, we might find ourselves overlooked and underrepresented in the systems shaping our world.”
Recent findings from the World Economic Forum align with Robinson’s concerns. AI has the potential to displace or transform up to 40 percent of global jobs, with Black and Brown workers often being among the most vulnerable. Without intentional efforts toward education and access, AI could lead to a new kind of digital exclusion.
“We’ve seen this before,” Robinson says. “The internet, crypto, social media—every time there’s a major technological leap, we are often brought in late as consumers, not early as owners. This time, we need to ensure that it’s different.”
Her message to Black professionals is straightforward. Curiosity and strategy matter more than coding skills. You don’t have to be a tech expert to use AI effectively; what’s important is understanding its potential and how to apply it to your business, brand, and voice.
“This isn’t about chasing fleeting trends,” she adds. “It’s about preserving and expanding legacy. If you care about wealth, influence, or making sure the next generation has more choices, then AI is something you need to engage with.”
With AI for PR, Tianna Robinson isn’t simply leading a movement—she’s building a bridge. One that ensures Black creatives, founders, and professionals are not left on the sidelines while the future is being shaped. Instead, she is helping them take an active role in its creation.
