AI
I ’ ll be speaking alone on all tracks and lose my voice …. But the mob won ’ t kill me .”
He claimed to have been “ cancelled ” for a “ mistake ” that , he said , now threatened all the good work he ’ d been doing for 15 + years . “ I said it was a mistake , a bug that turned out to be a feature ,” said Sizovs .“ I did nothing terrible that I need to apologise for ,” he added , although , at time of writing , he had yet to deliver a promised “ larger public statement ” on the matter .
Perhaps , there is also a lesson in dealing with the pressures of having to create ‘ balanced ’ speaker line ups . Although hoping an organisation will appear more ‘ diverse ’ if women speakers are made up to encourage male speakers to take part , is surely absurd and wrong .
CMW asked some key event industry
people what they thought of this disturbing AI practice .
“ We need old world solutions to new world problems . To create social media accounts , event profiles , delegate profiles or even speaker profiles , we need an in-person dialogue . Or a piece of paper , signed in front of a human , with a pen ,” is the view of Alistair Turner , author of IBTM World Trends Report 2024 .
He added : “ One of the main pieces of advice I would give to every event planner is to have an AI policy that is easily accessible and visible on their website . The first thing they should commit to is to divulge exactly where and how they are using AI . If it has been used to create copy , declare it , create advertising or design , again , label it . This will help differentiate those with values against those without .”
Nils Olav Risla , chief operating officer at Norway-based event innovation company Qondor . com , said : “ The rapid advancement of AI technology indeed poses challenges in distinguishing AI-generated speakers ( and content for that matter ) from real individuals at events . Utilising AI to create fictitious female speakers to artificially enhance diversity undermines the authenticity and credibility of events . This deceit risks damaging the event and its organiser ’ s reputation and trustworthiness . However , it ’ s important to recognise that AI can be a valuable tool when used ethically , enhancing the inclusivity and reach of events . In-person interactions offer a level of authenticity that AI-generated content cannot match .”
Risla said event planners can do many things to build integrity and trust :
• Use a transparent speaker verification process and communicate this to stakeholders
• Establish AI guidelines clearly outlining how they use AI in events and educate staff and partners about them
• Perform regular audits and communicate results
• Make sure they collaborate with reputable partners and can show references .
And content director at Planet Planit , Paul Cook adds : “ It ’ s interesting the things that people will try to do to gain visibility , engagement and sales . This example of fake speakers damages the professionalism of those with ethical values working in the events sector . It ’ s hard to see how it would have worked , as it couldn ’ t , but by that stage , the damage was done and it ’ s too late .
“ Event planners need to state in their communications , such as Terms of Business , and other agreements how they are using AI . This is particularly important with sponsorship deals . Imagine providing sponsorship for a fake event ?
“ AI regulation will help , but everyone needs to be carrying out their own due diligence before registering for , speaking at or sponsoring an event .” n
ISSUE 128 / CONFERENCE & MEETINGS WORLD / 13