Professor Ethan Mollick, innovation specialist, has compared the surgency of Artificial Intelligence to the rise of the internet when society got ‘online’ for the first time. Countries were poised for instant grocery deliveries and automated jobs, but excitement outweighed what was ultimately a slower growth, and this eventually became known as the ‘dot-com bubble’, which saw new companies close, and stocks crash.
Mollick acknowledges that, of course, today, the internet offers everything that the 90’s dreamed of, and undoubtedly, we are in that same stage of infancy with Artificial Intelligence across many industries, including events. This, we believe, should be an exciting motivator for event professionals, particularly when it comes to improving event sustainability, and in this blog, we’re going to highlight some of the developments and tools in AI that are already enabling your events to become more sustainable.
Sourcemap
Any event manager should be doing their due diligence on understanding their supply chain, whether that comes from a company directed policy, or simply evaluating new vendors against sustainable criteria. One AI platform, Sourcemap, is able to track the sustainability of vendors by showing where they source from, how ethical their process is, and what their environmental impact is.
Whilst some suppliers in the events industry may be smaller businesses and answers on their own supply chain straightforward, for larger companies or those providing either materials or produce, AI can step in to simplify this process. Rather than a lengthy cycle of sending forms and evaluating questionnaires, Sourcemap onboards organisations and stores their data, allowing any new, verified partnership coming in to transparently see their supply chain in just a few clicks.
SQUAKE
Attendee travel has long been a Scope 3 measurement that is challenging for event organisers to accurately measure and track, unless the organisation hosting the event is also managing the full travel programme. In either instance, AI is now closing the gap of this grey area.
Rather than simply measuring the impact after travel has taken place, AI tool, SQUAKE, is implemented in the booking process and helps companies to see real-time carbon estimates of journeys using flights, trains, and cars. The booker is able to see the impact, as well as receive alternative, greener travel suggestions in one place, rather than having to search and compare multiple routes. In case an organisation doesn’t already have an offsetting programme in place, this tool is also able to suggest offsetting options for those unavoidable emissions.
Citymapper and Google Maps
You know them, you love them, did you realise these tools were AI as well? Simple, free tools shouldn’t be overlooked by event planners who are trying to get their audiences bought into the sustainable mindset. These well-known platforms showcase public transport routes, ride-share options, and the most eco-friendly driving routes if driving is unavoidable. These can be integrated within your event website as a widget, and you might consider incentivising attendees to book the most sustainable option.
Brainbox
This one is less in the external event managers control, but for anyone reading that works in-house at venues, this is a sure-fire way to secure sustainable-minded business. Described as an “industry defining” technology, Brainbox is a smart venue management tool for buildings that uses AI in a number of different ways, one of which being “Decarbonization”. The basis of this solution is to reduce both Scope 1 and 2 emissions and helps users move faster towards a Net Zero goal.
The AI is programmed into heating and air conditioning controls and analyses various factors such as weather forecasts, occupancy levels, and grid emissions levels, to make the most energy-conscious decision. Having this level of real-time management that truly has sustainable interests at heart is a huge development, not just for the events industry, but for every kind of building. Brainbox is just one of many growing systems offering the opportunity to streamline energy consumption, and many can provide occupiers with data showing exactly what was used.
Orbisk
Again, another one for the venue managers with the power to implement modern technology. Orbisk is already working with a number of household names such as Accor, Hyatt, and Center Parks to measure, manage, and reduce the well-known problem of food waste at events and in hotels. The video system works by scanning dishes within seconds before they are thrown in food waste bins, and is then able to analyse exactly what items are being wasted and in what quantities. Sure, we all know the side-salad typically goes to waste, but once chefs and management can see that 80% of the lettuce and carrot that goes out, goes to waste, this data will empower a decision to reduce that output, or replace it altogether.
ChatGPT
You know it, you love it, but do you actually know just how much you can do with it? Learning how to effectively set-up and prompt your AI GPT can dramatically improve the output you’ll get from it, and the venue search in itself is a great place to do just that.
The tool pulls from all corners of the internet, but often that information can come through jumbled, as it’s just a prediction model after all. In the ‘Plus’ paid version, you can upload a “knowledge base” to your chat, priming the GPT with exactly what kind of mindset and expertise it should embody when responding to requests. Using the same chat will mean your GPT only gets more specialised in your topic as your conversations go on, so once you’ve uploaded perhaps an existing database of sustainable venues, or briefed it specifically on your sustainable criteria, you can check in periodically for the latest openings and developments.
Endless Tools for Hybrid and Virtual Optimisation
Having spoken about using AI to improve sustainability in attendee travel and venue energy use, we’d be a miss if we didn’t touch on the opportunity to reduce or entirely remove the need for these two carbon emitters by implementing hybrid and virtual event solutions.
Often the biggest gripe with virtual events is the lack of face-to-face, human networking opportunities, but developments in available AI systems are enhancing this experience through AI-driven networking tools and adaptive content delivery that responds to engagement.
Platforms like Bizzabo, Swapcard and Grip, through the event registration profile, are able to facilitate meaningful connections during virtual events, with attendees matched to network based on profile data and engagement patterns. This may take away the thrill of a chance encounter, but immediately puts you in touch with someone you know you’ll have some shared interests with.
It’s clear we’ve got an exciting road ahead with artificial intelligence infiltrating more of the events industry each quarter, and it’s crucial at this stage that we are using it as a collaborative force to improve event sustainability, rather than a direct replacement of human involvement.
About the author:
Olivia Salvage is a content writer and sustainable event manager. It didn’t take long until Olivia saw the wasteful nature of events in everything from food to printed collateral, and she began educating herself on sustainable solutions and practices to implement within her projects. Having since completed sustainable certificates, Olivia now considers sustainability a true passion and continues to research ways to bring positive change to her roles.