Adam Parry says the event ecosystem requires a heartbeat and a functioning brain, which will NEVER be fully automated.
“One of the primary concerns surrounding the use of AI and ChatGPT is the potential for these technologies to replace human workers,” says Parry, a technology evangelist, co-founder/editor of Event Industry News (EIN) and co-founder of the Event Tech Live event technology shows. “Despite the fact that these apps can automate certain tasks, they cannot replicate human creativity, empathy and intuition.”
I recently spoke with Parry to find out his thoughts about the impact of AI and ChatGPT on the meeting and event industry.
What are the best opportunities for event professionals to grow their businesses when using AI and ChatGPT?
There are numerous opportunities to grow using AI and ChatGPT. Automation is one of these technologies’ primary advantages and will lead to significant time and cost savings.
Another would be analyzing attendee data. AI can provide insights into attendee preferences, which can help event professionals design events that fit their audience’s needs. A chatbot can be used to provide live customer service to attendees, enabling event professionals to answer inquiries and address concerns instantly.
How long do you think it will take for the industry at large to adapt and begin using AI and ChatGPT apps?
Widespread adoption may take several years, as our industry becomes more familiar with these technologies and begins to see their benefits firsthand. As more success stories emerge and the technology becomes more refined and accessible, we will see greater adoption of these apps in the industry.
“AI can provide insights into attendee preferences, which can help event professionals design events that fit their audience’s needs.”
What are the concerns that you have and that you think eventprofs should have about using emerging technologies like AI and ChatGPT?
These technologies rely on collecting and analyzing attendee data, which raises concerns about privacy and security. To address these concerns, event professionals should implement strict data protection policies and make AI and ChatGPT systems transparent and easy to understand.
Where can eventprofs go if they want to educate themselves on the uses of AI and ChatGPT?
There are several resources available. Online courses, webinars and workshops are all effective ways to gain knowledge and expertise in this area. There are also many industry events and conferences that focus specifically on the intersection of technology and event planning, such as Event Tech Live Las Vegas and Event Tech Live London. Attendees benefit from the opportunity to network with other professionals while learning from the experts. A growing number of blogs, podcasts like the Event Tech Pullup and online communities offer valuable insights and best practices.
Want to learn more about technology and events? Share your thoughts at editor@mpi.org.
