SCRAMBLE! AI is going to destroy the professional speaker industry…

In this issue of 'The Debrief', we're talking about the threat of AI to the professional speaker industry and how to know if your business is future-proofed against the threat!

If there was one thing I learned as a Fighter Pilot that’s translated extremely successfully into business, it is to focus on today and find time to get thoughtful about tomorrow. This is not easy to do because you, and I’m assuming you are human, cannot think and do simultaneously.

I’ve interviewed a ton of speakers and futurists on “The Few With Boo” Podcast who discuss AI and how disrupted today’s jobs will be. A little selfishly, after the podcast, I’ve also asked a more personal question, “Will AI and future tech wipe out the need for speakers and the entire concept of the annual company event?”. I thought I’d share what I’ve learned with you if you have a moment, as this is also relevant to your future also!

Here are the top reasons AI will ignite the decline of our industry and challenge the entire concept of thought leaders!

1. AI-Generated Content: AI will generate speeches, presentations, and written content based on real-time data analysis and trends. This will reduce the reliance on human speakers to create original material, affecting demand for live speakers.
2. Virtual and Augmented Reality: AI can enhance virtual and augmented reality experiences, allowing conference attendees to interact with digital avatars of thought leaders. These AI-driven avatars can deliver speeches, answer questions, and engage with audiences in a way that mimics human interaction through VR headsets such as Apple’s Vision Pro.
3. Personalized Learning Experiences: In a room of 200 people, AI can be 200 different speakers simultaneously. AI tailors’ content to individual audience members based on their interests and learning preferences. This can create a more engaging and personalized experience that may surpass traditional one-size-fits-all presentations.
4. Real-Time Language Translation: AI-powered real-time translation can make conferences more accessible to a global audience. This could reduce the need for multilingual speakers or translators and broaden the reach of conferences and seminars.
5. Virtual Events and Webinars: AI can facilitate the production and management of virtual events, making organizing and executing online conferences and webinars easier. This trend, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, will continue to grow, reducing the need for in-person events and travel.
6. Content Curation and Summarization: AI can help curate client-specific content and provide summaries or highlights of presentations, making it easier for attendees to access and retain key information. Custom training programs can be built in real-time and deployed immediately after the event to enhance learning

Wow – who needs us anymore, right?

Are we on the precipice of extinction, or are we potentially getting embroiled in the AI misinformation campaign? Let’s explore the Wisdom of Confucius for a moment. Actually I had AI explore for me, and Microsoft’s “Co-pilot” attributes this quote to him:

I hear, and I forget. I see, and I remember. I do, and I understand.

Our job as speakers and speaker bureaus is to connect Wisdom with organizations seeking to profoundly impact their people. It is no longer enough just to speak, to just show; AI can do that already and continue to evolve quickly. We must create shared experiences, be tangible, and reinforce the spoken word with action.

Fighter Pilots call it the “Teach. Demo. Do” method. We cannot grow aviators by just teaching them how to fly from a book or an app. We cannot shape them into leaders by just demonstrating how to lead. We grow sustainable leaders and pilots by setting them up for success and allowing them to “DO” flying, creating the learning experience.

If AI serves us information and knowledge, our niche becomes the creation of Wisdom, and we cultivate Wisdom when we apply knowledge to new experiences.

How do you know if you’re in the wisdom business and future-proofed from AI’s move into our market?

Does your speaker create active engagement:

• Experiential Learning: Hands-on activities, simulations, and real-world applications allow learners to engage with the material actively. This type of learning promotes deeper understanding as people are not merely passive recipients of information but active participants.
• Problem-Solving: Engaging in experiences that require problem-solving helps people develop critical thinking and analytical skills. They learn to approach challenges creatively and effectively, reinforcing their understanding of concepts.

Relevance and Contextualization:

• Real-World Connections: Experiences that connect learning to real-world contexts make the material more relevant and meaningful. When people see how what they are learning applies to their lives or future careers, they are more motivated and invested in the process.
• Contextual Learning: Providing experiences that situate learning within a specific context helps learners understand how concepts are applied in various scenarios. This contextualization aids in the transfer of knowledge to new situations.

Memory and Retention:

• Emotional Involvement: Experiences that evoke emotions, whether through storytelling, simulations, or interactive activities, create stronger memories. Emotional connections to the material help with long-term retention and recall.
• Multisensory Learning: Engaging multiple senses through experiences such as field trips, lab experiments, or interactive media reinforces learning. The combination of visual, auditory, and kinesthetic inputs creates a richer learning experience that is more likely to be remembered.

We’ve delivered experiences at over 4,500 events over 27 years, and we’ve noticed now more than ever throughout our history, that we’re all competing for attention bandwidth in the digitally overwhelmed brain. Our experiences create memories, a collective experience, and a fun and engaging approach to learning how to solve problems, lead effectively, and drive businesses that, to quote one of our clients at Google, “Give good the upper-hand”.

We fundamentally believe in what we do and I would love to help you share some fighter pilot wisdom (and future-proof your business from AI!) with your clients. If this email piqued your curiosity, please contact me or the team to see how we can elevate your clients from the swamp of information to peak of Wisdom

(Oh… and if you think this content is useful, you’re most welcome to repurpose this email and share these insights with your clients too!)

Onwards and Upwards!