With advancements in analytics and cloud computing, AI has become a key enabler for digital transformation across industries. The artificial intelligence market is forecasted to grow at a CAGR of 38% between 2022 and 2030 and expected to reach USD 1,597 billion by 2030.
The technology has made inroads into the events sector as well. From creating better networking opportunities and improving attendee communication to enhancing attendee experience, AI can make lives easier for event planners and attendees alike. Advanced analytics, chatbots, and facial recognition systems are some of the ways AI is redefining the events industry.
In this blog, we will discuss how AI is helping transform the events space.
Better Networking Opportunities
Consider this for a moment. You are at a conference with over 2000 attendees. During a break, you find yourself surrounded by strangers with no idea of whom to approach or how to find people sharing similar interests. Not an ideal scenario by any means, right?
As per a recent survey, 76% of the participants consider networking to be a top driver when deciding whether to attend an event or not. And AI can certainly help with that.
AI-enabled matchmaking software can analyse the profile of every attendee, speaker, sponsor, and exhibitor and help connect individuals most likely interested in meeting each other. Most of us are aware of the world of dating where AI helps match people with similar personalities and interests. AI can simplify business networking too by connecting event attendees with like-minded individuals who can help fulfil their networking objectives. This way, attendees don’t find themselves stuck with the wrong people.
Improved Attendee Communication
Chatbots with powerful natural language processing algorithms are being used to carry out human-like conversations on event apps or event-specific communication channels. Attendees at any event can communicate seamlessly with chatbots to get answers to common queries such as:
● Who is the next keynote speaker?
● Who are the sponsors of the event?
● Where can I eat/have coffee?
By responding to such queries, chatbots allow event holders to focus on other crucial aspects of the planning process.
Another way in which AI can simplify communication is by eliminating language barriers through translation. Thanks to AI, we have been able to develop highly accurate translation programs; the latter can help event organizers connect with and share event-specific content with people from different parts of the world.
Facial Recognition for Check-in
Facial recognition has grown tremendously in the last decade, especially with companies such as Facebook employing the technology to recognize people in photos. Facial recognition systems are a biometric technology that can validate an individual’s identity by analyzing their faces. This is usually done by comparing a person’s scanned image with the images present in the system’s database and matching them on the basis of facial features.
Facial recognition can be used to ensure a secure check-in during an event. Event holders can leverage powerful AI tools to capture images of an attendee to verify their identity while they check in. This means fewer hassles during check-in and improves the attendee experience, as they don’t need to wait in long queues or carry physical tickets to the venue.
Improved Event Planning
Event management platforms gather attendee data across multiple touchpoints, right from registrations to interactions happening during and after the event. Using manual processes to analyze this data to distil useful insights can be a mind-boggling task. AI can simplify the process for you.
Advanced analytics powered by AI can help event organizers gain valuable insights from massive amounts of data in real-time. Likewise, integrated polls and survey tools can be used to gather feedback from attendees. Organizers can leverage this information to understand the audience better and refine event planning and management.
For instance, AI models can process data from past and current events to help decide what kind of sessions, workshops or exhibit booths one should include in their events. If any of their workshops isn’t popular among the audience or attendees are facing challenges in finding specific booths or navigating virtual sessions, the organizers can know about it and make necessary changes to enhance the audience experience.
Additionally, AI-powered virtual assistants can allow event holders to automatically adjust the lighting, temperature or any other crucial aspect of the venue.
The Final Word
As AI continues to evolve, newer trends and tools are emerging to help us build an unforgettable experience for event attendees. To understand how you can incorporate AI into event planning and management, connect with our experts at contact@cellstrat.com.
