Elevating the Craft: Phyusion’s Founder Named to PRWeek’s AI 25

Since its debut, the PRWeek AI 25 list has spotlighted the professionals "pushing the boundaries of what AI is capable of" across the industry. This year, we are incredibly proud to share that Phyusion’s founder and Chief Strategist, Samantha Stark, has been named to the AI 25 Class of 2026.

The 2026 honorees include leaders from LinkedIn, OpenAI, Meta, and other major organizations. Seeing Sam recognized alongside them validates a core belief here at Phyusion: innovation isn’t reserved for the biggest tech giants. It comes from clarity of vision, a willingness to experiment, and the determination to build what doesn’t yet exist.

Elevating the Craft

For Samantha, this recognition isn't just about the technology—it’s about the strategy behind it. With over 25 years of marketing and communications expertise, she has consistently pushed our work forward by pioneering new frameworks and developing smarter, human-centered applications of AI.

This expertise is grounded in her ongoing leadership as a Director for the Institute for Public Relations (IPR) Digital Media Research Center and as an Advisor to Ragan's Center for AI Strategy. By focusing on how new technology can empower specialists rather than replace them, Sam ensures that Phyusion remains at the forefront of driving meaningful, responsible progress in the field.

Building the Next Generation

Pushing the boundaries of communications technology means we must be equally focused on the future. The industry is changing faster than most academic programs can keep pace with, which is why we are actively equipping the next generation of professionals with practical, portfolio-ready experience.

Through initiatives like our Summer 2026 Communications AInnovation internship program, we want to ensure the professionals who stand out in the years ahead are building fluency now, not just with the tools, but with the judgment to use them well. As we build our teams and workflows, our guiding principle remains simple: AI should amplify human expertise, not replace it.

Congratulations to Sam and the rest of the 2026 honorees who are driving meaningful, responsible progress in this rapidly evolving space.

Bryan Stark is Head of Marketing and Operations at Phyusion.