Ethics of using AI to organise events raises concerns

# tags: Events , Associations , Technology , Corporate

According to a white paper, the ethical implications of using AI to organise events raise concerns.

Authored by The Hague & Partners Convention Bureau and Ottawa Tourism, the white paper, which will be released in January, reveals that 63% of association buyers surveyed are very concerned or slightly concerned about the ethical implications of using AI [artificial intelligence] in the organisation of events.

The document states that 63% of respondents believe that governments should legislate on the use of AI in organising events. However, 65 per cent do not think that these same governments have the necessary knowledge to be able to legislate effectively.

The professionals surveyed are concerned about the use and retention of data obtained by technology companies through AI: 20% said that AI technology providers are not very reliable and 13% said that they are not at all - and this 33% exceeds the 27% who showed confidence.

For 52 per cent of respondents, one possible solution is the creation of an international standard (ISO) covering the use of AI at events; in this chapter, 29 per cent said 'maybe' and 7 per cent agreed.

Although in a much smaller universe, the white paper presents results regarding the corporate segment. Half (50%) of the corporate event organisers surveyed are slightly concerned about the ethical implications of using AI to organise events.

In addition, 71 per cent think that governments should legislate on the subject, which is the same percentage as those who don't believe that governments have the necessary knowledge to do so. Half (50 per cent) of those surveyed trust their technology suppliers, while 28 per cent were concerned about the reliability of these suppliers.

"AI is inevitable and is already impacting our lives"

"AI is inevitable and is already impacting our lives in many ways," says Bas Schot, director of The Hague & Partners Convention Bureau, in a press release, adding: "Individuals and organisations who think it's something that won't affect them clearly don't realise how ingrained it already is in our world. It's all too easy to think only in terms of generative artificial intelligence, but AI is much more than that and we must harness its power in an ethical and positive way for everyone."

Lesley Pincombe, Vice President of Meetings and Major Events at Ottawa Tourism, adds: "We wanted to go beyond discussions about what AI can do, to consider how we should integrate it into our organisations on a human level. There's no denying that AI can do amazing things. However, should we allow it; when should we put the brakes on, communicate better and focus on humanity rather than technology?"

The Hague & Partners Convention Bureau and Ottawa Tourism surveyed 109 events professionals in October this year. In addition to the survey, the white paper is being created as part of interviews and discussions with experts from the association and AI sectors.

The full white paper will cover these topics in more detail, will explore specific areas of concern for the industry and will ask whether the sector is improving its skills quickly enough to respond to the growing use of AI as a technology, the statement concludes.