When predicting the impact that AI tools like OpenAI‘s ChatGPT will have on the future, it could all be summed up in one word: transformative. That word isn’t mine, though. It was ChatGPT’s response to me when I posed the question.
Like many in the event industry, I’ve been asking a lot of questions about ChatGPT and other AI tools lately. The possibilities of these new technologies are electrifying, while the potential implications for the event industry are a bit murky right now.
Determined to get a clearer picture, I asked ChatGPT a few questions about AI tools, what event planners should know about them, and predictions for the event industry in 2023. The answers I got were intriguing on multiple levels. I hope you enjoy the conversation.
AAE: What do corporate event planners need to know about ChatGPT?
ChatGPT: Corporate event planners should know that ChatGPT is an advanced language model developed by OpenAI, capable of generating human-like text. It can be useful for event engagement such as interactive Q&A sessions and lead generation. Additionally, ChatGPT can provide quick and accurate information to attendees in real-time.
It can also be integrated with various tools and platforms, such as chatbots and websites, to enhance the attendee experience at the event. However, it’s important to note that while ChatGPT is highly advanced, it is still limited by the data it was trained on and may not always provide correct answers.
AAE: How does ChatGPT generate its responses?
ChatGPT: ChatGPT was trained on diverse text from the internet by OpenAI, covering a wide range of topics, the sources of which are not disclosed. The training process aims to generate human-like text.
AAE: What’s one piece of advice you would give to corporate event planners in 2023?
ChatGPT: In 2023, my advice for corporate event planners would be to prioritize attendee experience and engagement. With the rapid advancements in technology, attendees have come to expect seamless, personalized, and interactive experiences at events. Event planners should look for ways to incorporate technology in creative and meaningful ways to enhance the attendee experience.
This could include incorporating chatbots, augmented and virtual reality, and gamification, to name a few examples. Additionally, event planners should seek to gather and analyze attendee feedback to continuously improve the attendee experience. By focusing on attendee engagement, event planners can create memorable and impactful events that drive business results and foster meaningful connections.
AAE: Can you describe the common misconceptions about AI?
ChatGPT: AI is often misunderstood as just being robots, having emotions and thinking like humans, replacing all jobs, being immune to hacking and being a solution to every problem. In reality, AI operates through algorithms, complements human work, requires ongoing security measures and has limitations as it’s still a developing technology.
AI can be found in various forms from smart speakers to self-driving cars and not just humanoid robots. It’s crucial to understand the true nature and capabilities of AI to avoid unrealistic expectations.
So far, the tool has given us some helpful context on itself, chimed in on the event industry in 2023, and demonstrated its ability to come across as convincingly human. While impressive, these are really just some of the most basic functions of the tool. The next part of the conversation aims to illustrate some of the most exciting abilities of ChatGPT.
AAE: Can you give me that same answer about misconceptions in a playful tone?
ChatGPT: Sure! Let’s bust some myths about AI! AI isn’t just a bunch of robots hanging out, waiting to take over the world. In fact, it’s not even capable of having feelings or emotions like us humans. And no, AI won’t replace all our jobs, it’ll just help us be even more awesome at them!
But wait, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows – AI can be vulnerable to hacking and other malicious attacks. And last but not least, AI isn’t a magic wand that can solve all our problems. It’s a work in progress and has its own set of limitations. So, let’s not get carried away with our AI dreams and get to know it for what it really is!
Pretty good right? Mind you, the tool is giving us these two answers back to back in a matter of seconds. Event planners know better than most how valuable the ability to cater one’s messaging to a specific audience is, let alone being able to do it in a matter of seconds.
But with AI tools like ChatGPT, fine tuning the tone of your messaging is just the beginning. As you’ll see in the rest of the conversation, users can specify the format, as well. So far, it seems like the only limitation is your own creativity in knowing what to ask for.
Can you give me that same answer but in the format of a TV sit-com dialogue?
[Two friends are discussing AI over coffee at a café]
Friend 1: Can you believe all the misconceptions about AI out there?
Friend 2: I know, right? People think it’s all robots and emotions, like some sci-fi movie!
Friend 1: And they think AI is going to take over all our jobs!
Friend 2: Ha! That’s a good one. But seriously, AI can be vulnerable to hacking and other forms of malicious attack.
Friend 1: Exactly. And let’s not forget, AI is still a developing field with limitations. It’s not a cure-all for every problem.
Friend 2: Exactly. We need to educate ourselves about the true nature and capabilities of AI so we don’t have unrealistic expectations.
Friend 1: Agreed. Let’s spread the word and set the record straight!
[Both friends clink their coffee cups in agreement]
It’s a fun example, but it could be so much more than that in practice. Picture it with me: event planners feed details to an AI tool about a specific session at an event. You tell it who is speaking, what the general topic is, where it’s taking place and when. At your request, seconds later, an AI tool could generate you five options for social media captions, a press release, and a blog post about the session to share in the leadup to the event.
These are the things that excite us the most about these technologies — their potential to save event planners time, time that can be spent creating event experiences that are more immersive, more tailored to each attendee, more impactful. Speaking of events in 2023, to close out our conversation, I had one more request for ChatGPT.
AAE: Could you write me a short poem about the corporate events industry in 2023?
Chat GPT: Corporate events of 2023,
A world of technology and fun.
With AI as our trusty guide,
Our events will be one of a kind.
Gone are the days of endless tasks,
Now with ChatGPT, the work is fast.
Data-driven decisions at our fingertips,
Personalized experiences that truly equip.
From virtual to in-person with grace,
We’ll create events that leave a lasting trace.
The future is bright, the future is here,
Corporate events of 2023, oh so dear!
Not bad, ChatGPT. Not bad. If I learned one thing from our conversation, it’s that AI tools like this are no longer just buzzwords for thought leadership or interesting thought experiments to prognosticate about. They’re here. They’re impressive. They’re a little bewildering. But mostly, they leave us hopeful about the possibilities.
