How AI will Change the Conference Industry

There is a huge amount of attention (hype?) currently about Generative AI models like ChatGPT.  Technology enthusiasts are saying this type of technology will change virtually every industry and business.  So, we started to play around with ChatGPT and our first impressions are positive.  We think this technology will indeed change the conference industry as well.  Here are some ways AI will affect conference planning:

  • Artificial intelligence (AI) is set to revolutionize the conference industry in the coming years. With the rapid advancement of AI technologies, we can expect to see more personalized and interactive experiences for attendees, more efficient logistics and planning for organizers, and better insights and analytics for sponsors.
  • One major way that AI will change the conference industry is through the use of virtual and hybrid events. With the ongoing pandemic and the rise of remote work, virtual and hybrid events have become increasingly popular. AI can help make these events more engaging and immersive by providing virtual reality experiences, personalized content recommendations, and even AI-powered avatars that can interact with attendees.
  • AI can also help organizers plan and manage events more efficiently. For example, AI-powered chatbots can handle routine inquiries from attendees, freeing up staff to focus on more complex tasks. AI can also help optimize event logistics, such as scheduling and room assignments, by analyzing attendee data and predicting demand.
  • In addition, AI can provide valuable insights and analytics for sponsors. By analyzing attendee data, AI can identify which sessions were most popular, which speakers had the greatest impact, and which products generated the most interest. This can help sponsors better target their marketing efforts and improve their ROI.
  • Another way that AI will change the conference industry is through the use of real-time translation. With AI-powered translation tools, attendees can communicate with each other in real-time, regardless of language barriers. This can help foster greater cross-cultural understanding and facilitate global collaboration.
  • Overall, the future of the conference industry is likely to be shaped by ongoing innovation and experimentation with AI technologies. As AI becomes more advanced, we can expect to see more personalized and engaging experiences for attendees, more efficient logistics and planning for organizers, and better insights and analytics for sponsors. Whether attending a virtual or in-person event, conference-goers can look forward to an exciting and dynamic future thanks to the power of AI.

What’s interesting about the above is that it was written by ChatGPT.  The preceding 6 bulleted paragraphs were ChatGPT’s response to the question “How will generative AI models change the way we create conferences?”

Although some of its response is dated – such as its reference to the “ongoing pandemic”, we thought it was pretty good. Some may see this as disconcerting – perhaps tied to our long simmering fear of the robots taking our jobs.  But it’s also very exciting.  We believe that for the foreseeable future, AI tools will improve and free us humans of the more mundane types of work allowing us to do the things humans excel at – like sharing leading edge ideas with one another formally and informally at conferences.

What do you think about this technology – is it a hyped up toy or a game changer?