How do you design an AI summit that engages all stakeholders?

AI is rapidly transforming our world. Here's how to design an inclusive & stimulating event, 1. Target audience segmentation 2. Interactive & engaging format 3. Fostering dialogue & collaboration 4. Accessibility & inclusiveness i.e. content & virtual participation. 5. Showcasing the human impact of AI with real-world applications & discussing the ethical considerations. 6. Promoting the event & building buzz by developing targeted outreach campaigns, partnering/collaborating with relevant organizations & utilizing social media platforms. Note: a successful summit goes beyond just disseminating information, it creates a platform for meaningful conversation & collective action towards a responsible & beneficial future powered by AI.

Clearly articulate the summit's purpose, whether it's knowledge-sharing, collaboration promotion, or problem-solving in AI-related domains. Scope out the main topics, such as AI ethics, practical applications, technological advancements, and socio-economic impacts, aligning them with stakeholders' interests.

Start with what you want the attendees to "do", then work back from there. Keynotes, theory and knowledge-based presentations are fine... if they're in the service of skill building.

Before diving into the nuts and bolts, let's talk about why we're here and what we want to achieve with this AI summit. It's like setting out on a road trip; we need to know our destination and what we want to see along the way. Are we aiming to demystify AI for newcomers, or are we exploring cutting-edge advancements for experts? Maybe it's about finding common ground for ethicists and technologists. Once we have our 'why' and 'what,' we can craft a journey that's not only informative but also inspiring for every attendee. Takeaway: Pin down the 'why' and 'what' of your summit to create an engaging and purposeful journey for every participant.

Develop a detailed agenda that outlines specific objectives for each session. This will provide a structured approach to discussions and ensure that all participants understand the goals and expected outcomes.

Based on other responses in this article, I see there is confusion between AI (Artificial Intelligence) and AI as in "Appreciative Inquiry." The latter is the OD intervention that involves the cycle: Discovery, Dream, Design, and Destiny. Cooperrider and Whitney describe this approach based on "discovering what's working, what gives life, what is creating energy and excitement, and then determine how to create more of it." An AI Summit needs to firstly explain this method, as it will rely entirely in the creativity and willingness of participants to engage in generative activities to collectively assess/ determine their organization's future direction from the POV of what is positive/ potential, rather than weaknesses, risks and failures.

Employ the 4D cycle: Discover, Define, Develop, and Distribute. Discover stakeholders' needs and expectations through engagement and research. Define summit objectives and agenda based on stakeholder input. Develop content, speakers, and session formats that cater to identified needs. Distribute preparatory materials and ensure active participation before, during, and after the event.

Although the 4-D approach appears appealing, and we all appreciate the allure of the "dream" step, it is grounded in the experiences that the design of content holds the utmost significance in AI workshops. Participants are keen on understanding how they can effectively apply AI tools in their day-to-day lives, rather than merely learning about emerging AI tools and their workings. There is a collective desire to experiment with AI tools in real-world scenarios. Rather than just providing the fish, the emphasis should be on teaching how to catch fish.

Include interactive workshops in each phase of the 4-D cycle. These workshops can use tools such as brainstorming sessions, breakout groups, and role-playing exercises to engage participants actively and encourage collaborative thinking.

Carefully curate materials to provide relevant information and stimulate productive discussions. Plan logistics meticulously, including venue, communication technology, catering, and accommodation, to ensure a seamless experience for attendees.

Set up mechanisms to collect real-time feedback from participants throughout the summit. This can include digital surveys, suggestion boxes, or dedicated feedback sessions.

The involvement of the planning team is essential to the successful implementation and creation of an AI Summit. This takes considerable time and effort, and should not be underestimated. For an AI summit to run well and produce valuable outputs, all details will need to be thoughtfully considered.

Utilize AI-driven sentiment analysis tools during sessions to gauge participant engagement and mood in real-time, allowing facilitators to adjust their delivery or content dynamically.

In my experience following aspects also become critical in an effective facilitation of large group process like AI summit: - Upfront cultivating trust & safety in a group environment to foster an open & a safe expression by the individuals & group . - Constantly channelizing the conversation to evoke awareness of the group by challenging existing assumptions and facilitating exploration of org strengths, successes & aspirations - Enabling the group to converge & synthesize their insights into concrete actionable plans which are ultimately owned by the teams . - Holding an effective presence through active listening & moving in and out of the conversation depending upon the flow of energy in the group set up

After the applause dies down, our work isn't done. We need to harvest the insights and inspirations from our summit and plant them in fertile ground. This means evaluating what we've learned, sharing it widely, and nurturing the seeds of ideas until they grow into tangible outcomes. It's about ensuring the energy and ideas generated don't fade away but evolve into projects, collaborations, and innovations. Takeaway: Turn the summit's insights into action—evaluate, share, and nurture the ideas to drive real-world impact.

To design an engaging AI summit, incorporate interactive sessions like panel discussions, workshops, and hands-on demonstrations. Tailor content to address diverse stakeholder interests, including technical aspects for developers, business applications for executives, and societal impacts for policymakers. Utilize technology for real-time audience engagement through live polls, Q&A sessions, and networking opportunities. Provide ample time for networking and collaboration to foster connections and idea exchange among stakeholders.

Think of AI as a continuous journey, not just a one-time event. There are always new ways to apply it to different situations and challenges. Sharing and learning from others is crucial for gaining new perspectives and understanding context. Make a plan to dedicate a bit of time each week to learning something new about AI. Whether it’s reading an article, attending a webinar, or experimenting with a new tool, keep advancing your skills.

Encourage continuous learning by setting up a collaborative platform where participants can share their own experiences and insights post-summit, using AI to curate and recommend relevant content or connections based on individual interests and feedback.