“It’s going to be interesting to see how society deals with artificial intelligence, but it will definitely be cool.” – Colin Angle – CEO, Chairman and Founder of iRobot
Is AI the ultimate tech disruptor? It certainly feels like it.
While we might not yet be able to jump into our personal self-flying spaceship and blast off to a galaxy far, far away, AI technology is rapidly changing the way we interact with the world around us – including how we experience events.
AI: An Overview
Before we specifically look at AI event technology – here’s a quick AI overview.
Artificial intelligence refers to a computer’s ability to copy human generated thought and apply that knowledge to perform tasks.
A simple example is predictive text. When we’re typing a text message, our smartphones draw on data patterns to work out what we’re going to type next – occasionally with unintended and hilarious consequences.
AI and Events
AI already helps us find our way to event venues, connect with fellow attendees via social media, and find a ride share for the way home.
Further advances in AI technology are likely to create events that are even more immersive, inclusive, and personalised for every attendee.
Here’s what event planners can make use of right now, and what they can expect from AI event technology in the future:
Marketing, Communication and Content
Given its recent headline grabbing status, Chat GPT is a good place to start.
In short Chat GPT, and similar content generators, are predictive text on steroids! Drawing from a phenomenally large dataset, these platforms respond to commands to create short and long-form written content (including entire novels), graphic design images, and artwork.
Chat GPT is currently in a free phase, ostensibly so it can build on its existing data store to become even more effective.
At the moment, Chat GPT is brilliant for creating content for standard forms of communication. It can respond to surprisingly specific commands with good results. For example, type in the following and see what Chat GPT comes up with:
“Write a 500-word promotional invitation to a medical conference for anaesthetists to be held in London at the O2 Arena. Write the invitation in a formal style and talk about the key benefits of networking, industry speakers and evening entertainment.”
Pretty impressive isn’t it? The more detail you specify, the better the results.
Planners can use Chat GPT, and similar platforms, to create all sorts of marketing and communication, including emails, blog posts, event opening speeches and social media content.
It can take a bit of practice to get going, but for simple communications, AI content platforms can save a lot of time and effort.
That said, there is, of course, a catch. While impressive, Chat GPT still has a way to go before it’s capable of creating nuanced content that truly captures a brand voice. More sophisticated content will likely need a fair amount of editing before publishing or posting.
Also, if you’re citing facts or actual people, make sure to fact-check or cross-reference with a credible source. Chat GPT can deliver false information (an issue the platform acknowledges) simply because it will find the best information match – which isn’t necessarily correct or in line with what you need.
Networking
With networking being a primary reason why 76% of attendees attend events, it’s important that event planners make the networking experience as effective as possible. Which was something of a challenge before online technology.
Not so very long ago, event networking was like speed dating; a room full of people made hurried conversation with other people who may or may not offer a mutually productive (professional) relationship.
Fortunately, technology has made networking more relaxed, targeted, and less stressful. Many event apps now enable attendees to search within the app to find peers who share interests, experiences, and objectives. Introductions can be made ahead of the event via private chat channels and meetings arranged for either in-person or online chats.
AI is taking this a step further and delivering more options for sophisticated networking. Utilising the same algorithmic principles as online dating apps, AI networking platforms can recommend connections based on attendees’ business objectives.
This technology can be extended to include lead generation targets for sponsors – matching potential buyers with the right service provider or retailer.
Chatbots
Chatbots are now the frontline service solution for many providers and retailers. They pop up on websites and apps offering help and advice for customers and visitors. Replicating the way a human would respond, chatbots are able to provide information and answer questions for all sorts of queries.
In the near future, we expect to see chatbots integrated as a standard offering into event apps. Replacing FAQ event pages, chatbots will answer attendees’ event related questions, such as:
“What time is the keynote address?”
“Where can I find the coffee cart?”
“Where’s the nearest hotel to the event venue?”
While search functions may initially work on a text basis, technology is likely to be upgraded to include voice activation – much like Apple’s Siri or Amazon’s Alexa services.
Including chatbots within event platforms has the potential to not only improve the user experience, but save planners time by out sourcing information management to a resident friendly bot!
Event Personalisation
Current data taken from event technology such as event apps and badge-printing kiosks gives valuable insights into attendee behaviour, preferences and activity. Planners can analyse data post-event to understand what worked well and what might need tweaking for the next event.
Event personalisation gets really interesting when we introduce AI to event data.
AI has the potential to take this data to make suggestions and recommendations based on attendees’ individual or collective interests. For example, an AI-calibrated event platform may suggest an attendee checks out an event session that’s covering a topic of interest. Or, the platform can let them know that a person they want to connect with is currently in the networking room.
AI could anticipate attendees’ event objectives and curate a tailored experience – all in real-time.
Enhanced Planning
In addition to providing attendees with a customised event experience, event planners can gain access to even more valuable data.
Current event tech data gives an insight into attendees’ event interactions and engagement from a fairly high level. AI can dig even deeper to throw light on those event behaviours and patterns at a granular level.
Pinpointing exact moments when attendees decided to head to a particular session, speak to new contacts, or choose where to sit for the keynote address can help event organisers create future events that really tailor the experience for attendees’ particular wants and needs.
From a more functional perspective, AI could also take the grind out of the planning process. Automating communications, organising session logistics, and even booking hotel rooms – AI could deliver valuable savings on time and resources.
CrowdComms and Event Tech AI
AI is here to stay, rapidly evolving and changing the way we experience events.
CrowdComms Co-founder, Felix Stroud-Allen, is watching the AI space with interest,
“We have already seen AI help with the heavy lifting of content creation within event management platforms; the really interesting part will be how it assists the delegate journey.”
Although AI is set to deliver plenty of benefits, it’s worth remembering that AI is driven by data. And that data is often derived from personal information. The rate of AI development may mean its capabilities outstrip current laws and regulations around the management of personal information; just because AI can, doesn’t mean we should.
CrowdComms is excited about what AI will bring to event tech. We’re tracking its development and assessing how AI might enhance our industry-leading solutions in the future. However, we feel there is some way to go before the industry can move beyond third-party plug-ins to fully embedded event platform AI with streamlined delivery and robust security.
While we are always innovating and developing our technology to help our clients deliver their best events, we’ve been on the ground at events for over a decade. We know that AI can only complement, not replace, our real-life people!
Whatever AI brings to the event tech space, your CrowdComms team will still be there with you at the registration kiosks and providing knowledgeable and friendly support on the phone.
Ensuring that your platform and service are customised just how you want it cannot be achieved with technology alone. Which is why our award-winning tech will always be supported by our award-winning people.
