A joint white paper by The Hague & Partners Convention Bureau and Ottawa Tourism has shed light on the escalating integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in global association conferences and events.
The research underscores a critical need for widespread upskilling in AI use and understanding its ethical implications.
Key findings include that 63% of associations and not-for-profits are currently utilizing AI in event organization; a significant knowledge gap exists, with 72% not engaging in AI education; and 85% have no budget allocated for AI training.
Lesley Pincombe, Vice President of Meeting and Major Events at Ottawa Tourism, said: “The inevitability of AI in our sector is clear from our research. However, it’s not just about adoption; it’s about understanding and skilfully leveraging AI to enhance our industry,”
Bas Schot, Head of The Hague & Partners Convention Bureau, said: “We must be careful to protect our delegates and ourselves as we make the most of what AI has to offer – we already need to consider both the pros and the cons before we entrust vital information and data to third parties – AI usage is no different.”
Initial highlights from the research revealed that 63% of global association buyers express concerns about the ethical implications of AI in event organizing. While 63% believe governments should legislate on AI use, 65% feel that governments lack the necessary knowledge for effective legislation.
Ottawa Tourism and The Hague & Partners Convention Bureau advocate a proactive approach to AI education in the association event sector, promoting strategic partnerships, knowledge sharing, and resource allocation for AI competency.