Matt Allen from CrowdComms and Will Custard, their Product Director, certainly think so. They’re here to strip away the hype, the jargon, and the Hollywood-style robot takeovers to give us a clearer picture of what AI is, how it’s being used in events, and, frankly, whether it’s something we need to be terrified of (spoiler alert: not quite yet).
Grab a cup of coffee and settle in as we break down the key takeaways from their lively chat.
What Even Is AI?
If you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed by the buzzwords, you’re not alone. AI, as Matt and Will explained, isn’t about internet robots from sci-fi movies taking over your life. Instead, it’s essentially a set of very smart systems capable of crunching enormous amounts of data at lightning speed. AI is already helping businesses streamline processes, analyse data, and even provide natural, two-way conversations via tools like chatbots.
It ranges from translation tools to facial recognition and sentiment analysis. But before you start picturing Joaquin Phoenix whispering sweet nothings to his AI in the movie Her, remember that most AI today is designed to make your life easier rather than steal your heart.
No Robots, Just Humans: Join Matt and Will Get Real About AI in Events.
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How AI is Transforming Events
The events industry is no stranger to AI. It’s already popping up in clever ways to make organising and attending events much simpler and more effective. Some of the key applications include:
- Matchmaking Attendees: AI-powered tools recommend who you should connect with at events based on your profile and preferences. Want to meet exhibitors who specialise in event apps? AI can help streamline that process.
- Session Recommendations: Forget manually scrolling through endless session schedules. AI can personalise session recommendations to save you time.
- Day-to-Day Efficiency: From generating meeting notes to automating captions and translations, AI is already lending a hand to event professionals.
Matt and Will shared how CrowdComms is implementing AI to speed up business card exchanges, improve recommendation engines, and help exhibitors and attendees connect more effectively. AI’s ability to crunch mountains of data also helps organisers analyse attendee preferences and behaviour, enabling better event planning.
But, as Will pointed out, it’s still not perfect. Yes, you can ask AI to generate a logo or even write a blog post. But when it comes to creative or deeply human tasks, the results can feel… a bit flat. AI doesn’t (yet) understand the heart and soul of a business, and this is often reflected in its output.
The Risks and Misconceptions
Of course, it’s not all sunshine and data-crunching. AI comes with its fair share of risks and ethical dilemmas. Matt and Will didn’t shy away from the potential downsides:
1. Bias and Manipulation
AI systems are only as good as the data they’re fed. When organisers start to manipulate algorithms, like restricting who can or can’t see recommendations, things get murky. If attendees begin to notice these biases, trust can be eroded, and engagement may plummet.
2. Over-Reliance on AI
Ever tried to get help from a chatbot, only to desperately type “Can you please connect me to a human?” Yeah, many of us have been there. No matter how advanced AI gets, it needs to complement, not replace, the human touch. Frustration levels skyrocket when AI tools can’t assist in critical moments during an event.
3. Privacy Concerns
With so many AI tools out there, it’s hard to know which ones are genuinely safeguarding your data. Will summarised it neatly with, “Garbage in, garbage out”—feed poor data into AI, and the output won’t be useful. But handing over large amounts of personal data understandably makes some people cautious.
4. Loss of Authenticity
AI’s efficiency is appealing, but relying on it too much risks devaluing the genuine expertise of seasoned professionals. For example, an AI-generated presentation might be well-structured, but it won’t carry the depth of someone who’s spent years mastering the subject. And as Will noted, if speakers simply rely on AI to create their sessions, what’s stopping organisers from just having a hologram deliver the content?
What’s Next for AI in Events?
Despite the challenges, Matt and Will are optimistic about AI’s future in the events industry. CrowdComms, for instance, is leveraging AI to enhance matchmaking, personalise content, and streamline event planning. Beyond that, they have exciting plans for sentiment analysis and sustainability features, such as calculating an event’s carbon footprint.
One exciting idea involves using attendee data to refine event planning. For example, if AI predicts high attendance at an AI discussion, organisers can allocate a larger room or host the session twice to meet demand. This kind of informed decision-making represents the power of AI when paired with human expertise.
A Balancing Act Between Innovation and Authenticity
Matt and Will wrapped up their conversation with a reflection on the balance needed when integrating AI into events. The goal isn’t to eliminate humans or creativity, but to enhance what we do. Whether it’s speeding up mundane tasks or providing deeper insights, AI has immense potential.
Still, they emphasised the importance of keeping events human-centric, enabling genuine relationships and ensuring attendees feel informed and empowered—not just shepherded by algorithms.
Final Thoughts
AI in events is exciting, useful, and yes, just a tiny bit scary—but you’re not alone in navigating its complexities. As Matt and Will point out, we’re still in the early stages of AI’s integration into our lives and events. With its power to simplify, personalise, and innovate, the tech can enrich the events we love, so long as we use it wisely.
For now, we’re left with this simple mantra: trust in people, use AI as a tool, and keep it real. Whether you’re an event organizer or an attendee, the future is full of possibilities—but don’t forget, the heart of every great event will always be human interaction.
Want to keep this conversation going? Subscribe to our updates and share your thoughts in the comments. What excites you most (or scares you most!) about AI in events.
