AI in Events Industry: 6 Trends Redefining the Future of Events
Written by Alex Velinov, Chief Technology Officer
Artificial intelligence (AI) isn’t just showing up at events, it’s redefining them. The AI in events industry is rapidly evolving, helping organisers streamline operations, personalise content, and create standout experiences.
As event organisers, marketers, and creators, we’re now operating in an era where AI isn’t a futuristic experiment but a vital toolkit.
From streamlining planning to enhancing attendee experiences, AI is quickly becoming the co-pilot of the events industry.
We’ve seen firsthand how AI can elevate an event from routine to remarkable. In this piece, we’ll walk you through what’s happening now across the sector, key trends to watch, and a glimpse into what’s coming next, along with a case study of how we developed and deployed an AI influencer to drive engagement at Europe’s biggest conversational AI event.
What’s the Role of AI in the Events Industry Right Now?
The events sector is undergoing a massive AI assist. AI in events industry is accelerating, with planners embracing tools to enhance every phase of the attendee journey.
Content creation, data analysis, customer service, and on-site logistics are all being reimagined through AI.
More than half (54%) of European planners now use AI during venue sourcing, and nearly 70% expect that usage to increase in the near future (Cvent 2025 Planner Sourcing Report). Simultaneously, 88% of marketers see events as key revenue drivers (Cvent 2024 Splash Report).
What’s more telling is the widespread experimentation we’re seeing across the industry. Most professionals are integrating AI into their daily work, from automating follow-ups to generating content and analysing feedback. This is not just adoption, it’s evolution.
6 AI Trends Transforming the Events Industry
1. AI Agents for Events: The Rise of 24/7 Virtual Support
We’ve entered the age of the always-on, always-helpful virtual assistant. AI agents now handle FAQs 24/7, push real-time updates, and deliver personalised responses at scale.
Whether embedded in an event app or a website, these assistants are saving time and elevating the attendee experience.
Attendees can simply ask, “When does the next keynote begin?” or “Where’s the networking lounge?” and get immediate answers. The result is less friction and more empowerment for attendees.
From the organiser’s perspective, AI agents relieve the burden on staff by automating repetitive queries. This not only frees up human resources to focus on higher-value tasks but also ensures a consistent level of support across the attendee journey.
For larger events, the scalability is critical, AI agents can handle thousands of interactions simultaneously, reducing overhead and increasing attendee satisfaction.
2. Smart Recommendations and AI Personalisation
Personalisation is no longer a nice-to-have, it’s an expectation. AI recommendation engines are helping events become more tailored by analysing attendee profiles, session interactions, and real-time behaviour.
The result is a curated experience: from session suggestions to recommended exhibitors and even networking matches based on shared interests.
Networking has particularly benefited. Platforms like Grip and vFairs have introduced AI matchmaking features that guide attendees toward relevant connections.
Instead of sifting through directories or relying on chance meetings, attendees are now being introduced to people, sessions, and sponsors that align with their goals, dramatically improving engagement and perceived event value.
3. Predictive Analytics for Planning & Marketing
Forecasting has historically been one of the biggest challenges for event planners.
With predictive analytics, we can now use historical data, real-time registration trends, and even social sentiment to anticipate attendance and engagement levels.
AI models provide early warnings, whether a session might be overbooked or an email campaign needs optimisation.
The applications go beyond logistics. AI scoring models now help marketers identify hot leads from registration data and in-event behaviour.
For example, someone who visited a booth twice and downloaded a white paper might be marked as a high-intent lead. This level of intelligence helps prioritise follow-ups and maximises the ROI from event participation.
4. Facial Recognition & On-Site AI Automation
First impressions matter, and AI is making them seamless.
Facial recognition check-in is transforming how attendees enter venues. Rather than waiting in long lines, attendees can walk up to a kiosk, get scanned, and gain entry in seconds.
This isn’t just convenient; it sets a tone of innovation and professionalism from the moment guests arrive.
But the technology’s benefits extend beyond check-in. Facial recognition can support access control for VIP areas, streamline session tracking, and improve venue security.
For organisers, it reduces manual labor while collecting valuable data on attendee flow, dwell time, and session attendance, all of which can inform better planning in real-time and in the future.
5. Generative AI for Content Creation and Marketing
This is one of our core focus areas, and it’s rapidly becoming an industry standard.
Generative AI tools like GPT-4 can create everything from marketing emails and event descriptions to personalised LinkedIn posts and blog recaps in seconds. This shift empowers lean marketing teams to execute at scale and with agility.
Personalisation takes this further. Instead of one-size-fits-all messaging, generative AI allows for the creation of individualised communication tailored to different audience segments.
We’re seeing AI craft session invites that reference past attendee behaviour or industry role, which drives higher open and click-through rates.
Pair that with instant content summaries and on-site video highlights, and you’ve got an AI system that extends your event’s lifecycle far beyond the closing keynote.
6. AI Tools for Real-Time Attendee Engagement
The best events create moments that matter, and AI is helping generate more of them.
Real-time translation, live captioning, and smart polling tools are expanding access and making content more inclusive.
Whether it’s a multilingual audience or hearing-impaired attendees, AI is breaking down barriers and enabling richer participation.
AI is also fuelling interactivity. Think gamified scavenger hunts, intelligent photo booths with generative art, and LED displays that respond to audience sentiment.
These aren’t just novelties, they increase dwell time, social sharing, and attendee retention. For organisers, it means more data, more visibility, and more reasons for attendees to come back.
Future Vision: What’s Coming Next?
Looking ahead, we see AI playing an even more immersive and personalized role in the event space. Here’s what we expect:
- Digital Influencers as Brand Ambassadors
- AI Agents embedded across every attendee touchpoint
- Hyper-personalised agendas, content, and networking
- AI-powered on-site experiences with real-time intelligence
Case Study: Meet Chat-E — Our AI Digital Influencer
Let’s take a closer look at one future-facing AI Solution we built ourselves.
We recently developed Chat-E, a comprehensive AI influencer designed for The European Chatbot & Conversational AI Summit – leading Conversational AI event.
This project had three core pillars:
1. Create the Character:
We developed a persona complete with visuals, a Scottish-accented AI voice, and a defined tone of voice. It was like casting a digital ambassador.
2. Create the Content:
We produced over 20 videos using Chat-E, half for marketing (shared on LinkedIn and Instagram), and half for on-site use. Chat-E welcomed attendees, introduced sessions, announced breaks, and guided networking moments.
3. Create the AI Agent:
On the event website, Chat-E took the form of a conversational AI that answered FAQs in real-time. Same tone, same personality, same visual identity, across every channel.
Why was this so powerful?
- It created a memorable, unified experience across channels
- Scaled video content production without traditional video shoots
- Reduced workload for the client’s team while delivering higher engagement
In short, Chat-E wasn’t just a gimmick. It was a strategic asset, an AI influencer that brought personality and consistency to every interaction
What This Means for You…
If you’re running events today, or planning for 2026, now is the time to embrace these capabilities:
- Use AI agents to provide 24/7, scalable attendee support
- Leverage generative AI to accelerate and personalise your marketing
- Consider piloting a digital influencer to create a standout experience
Together, these tools don’t just enhance events, they transform them.
Final Thoughts: The Future of AI in the Events Industry
AI is no longer a competitive edge, it’s becoming the standard for leading events. By embedding AI into our planning, promotion, and execution, we can:
- Deliver more personalised, meaningful experiences
- Operate more efficiently and cost-effectively
- Generate higher ROI, stronger engagement, and better data
As we look ahead, the human-AI partnership will become even more seamless. Events will be smarter, more responsive, and more connected, giving attendees exactly what they want before they even ask.
Consider piloting a digital influencer at your next event? Learn more about our AI services https://tagdigital.co.uk/ai-solutions/
Let’s shape that future together.