Is AI Really Transforming Events—or Is It Just a Trend?
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is everywhere right now—including in the events industry. From smart matchmaking and automated check-ins to AI-powered chatbots and predictive analytics, event platforms are integrating AI at a rapid pace.
In fact, 45% of event organisers are already using AI tools, and 30% of event companies only started implementing AI in the past year. Some hail AI as a revolution in event management, while others question whether it's just clever marketing.
So, is AI truly changing the game, or is it just another overhyped trend? Let’s break it down.
🚀 AI Features That Are Actually Improving Events
🎯 1. AI-Powered Matchmaking & Networking
Traditional networking can be hit-or-miss, but AI takes the guesswork out by analyzing attendee data to suggest relevant connections. Platforms like Grip have reported a 50% increase in networking activity after implementing AI-driven matchmaking.
✅ What’s working:
- AI suggests high-value connections based on shared interests, goals, and past behavior.
- Helps attendees make the most of their time by prioritising key meetings.
- Exhibitors and sponsors get better-targeted leads, increasing their event ROI.
🚩 Potential downside: Some platforms overstate their AI capabilities—offering basic keyword-matching rather than true machine learning.
📅 2. Personalised Agendas & Session Recommendations
AI-driven platforms create custom event agendas, recommending sessions based on an attendee’s preferences, past engagement, and real-time behaviour.
✅ Impact on attendee experience:
- Personalised agendas boost engagement and satisfaction by 35%.
- Tailored session recommendations lead to 30% higher repeat attendance.
🚩 Potential downside: AI-driven recommendations work best for large events with multiple sessions. Smaller events may not benefit as much.
💬 3. AI Chatbots & Virtual Assistants
AI-powered chatbots are revolutionizing customer support, answering attendee questions 24/7—reducing wait times and improving response rates.
✅ Why they work:
- Chatbots reduce the workload on event staff by handling FAQs.
- Can assist with registration, scheduling, and real-time updates.
- Some chatbots even offer language translation for international attendees.
🚩 Potential downside: If not trained properly, AI chatbots can give inaccurate answers, frustrating attendees rather than helping them.
🎟 4. AI-Powered Registration & Check-In
Event check-ins can be a bottleneck, but AI is helping speed up the process through facial recognition, QR code scanning, and automated verification.
✅ Results from AI check-in systems:
- 70% faster registration times, reducing lines and wait times.
- Improved security with real-time attendee verification.
- Fewer staff required at check-in points, cutting operational costs.
🚩 Potential downside: Facial recognition raises privacy concerns—attendees should have the option to opt out.
📝 5. AI-Generated Content & Session Summaries
AI tools can now generate real-time event summaries, blog posts, and social media updates, making event content more accessible.
✅ What’s working:
- AI-generated content saves time for marketers.
- Instant session recaps allow attendees to focus on engagement rather than note-taking.
- AI-written reports make it easier for attendees to share event insights with their teams.
🚩 Potential downside: AI-generated content still needs human editing to ensure quality and accuracy.
⚠️ AI Hype vs. Reality: What’s Just Marketing?
With AI being such a hot topic, some event platforms exaggerate their AI capabilities to ride the trend.
🔍 How to spot AI hype:
❌ A "smart matchmaking" tool that just matches people based on one or two keywords rather than deep learning.
❌ A chatbot that only follows pre-programmed scripts instead of adapting to user questions.
❌ A "predictive analytics" dashboard that’s really just basic reporting with a fancy name.
✅ How to tell if an AI feature is actually valuable:
- Does it save time or improve the attendee experience?
- Does it provide new insights or capabilities that weren’t possible before?
- Are there real-world case studies proving its impact?
💡 Best Practices for Using AI in Events
If you want AI to truly enhance your events—not just be a gimmick—follow these best practices:
🔹 Start small: Test AI in one area (e.g., chatbots or session recommendations) before rolling it out across your entire event.
🔹 Prioritise data quality: AI needs clean, structured data to work effectively—integrate your registration, networking, and engagement data.
🔹 Keep humans in control: AI should assist, not replace, human decision-making.
🔹 Measure ROI: Track time savings, increased engagement, or cost reductions to see if AI is delivering value.
🔹 Ensure ethical AI use: Respect attendee privacy, provide opt-in choices, and check for algorithmic biases.
🎯 Final Verdict: AI Is a Tool—Not a Magic Solution
AI is not just hype, but it’s also not a silver bullet. It’s most effective when used to enhance efficiency, personalisation, and data-driven decision-making.
🔥 Key takeaways:
✅ AI-powered matchmaking, chatbots, and analytics deliver real value.
✅ Not all AI claims are legit—beware of buzzwords.
✅ AI should solve real problems, not just be a fancy feature.
✅ When used strategically, AI can cut costs, boost engagement, and improve attendee experience.
👉 Thinking about implementing AI at your next event? Start with the most impactful use cases, measure your success, and always keep the human touch at the centre of your strategy.
📢 What’s your take on AI in events? Have you seen success—or just hype?