Reflections from Skift’s AI & the Future of Events Summit

I had the privilege of representing Highbar and speaking at the Skift Meetings AI & the Future of Events Summit, joining some of the most interesting folks shaping the future of AI and event technology.

Zooming Out

Before we dive into specific takeaways let's just say it... nobody has AI & The Future of Events fully figured out—and that’s not just okay, it’s a good thing. Events are in a uniquely privileged position where the benefits of AI will accrue industry-wide, even if organizers take a wait-and-see approach.

As AI-generated content floods other channels, the premium on in-person connection will only increase. Face-to-face interactions, authenticity, and presence are more valuable than ever. So while there’s no need to rush in for the sake of being first, the opportunity to enhance events with AI is too good to ignore.

That’s why this summit felt so timely and energizing. There’s genuine curiosity, healthy skepticism, and growing momentum. Let’s dive into what stood out.

Insights from Key Voices

📌 “It’s the ideal time to experiment with AI.” – Anca Platon Trifan, CMP, WMEP and Meg Pisani underscored how important it is for hashtag#EventProfs to dive into AI, explore new tools, and find what works. The more you experiment, the more use cases emerge — now is the time.

📌 “Focus on quality over quantity.” – Anca also made a great point about not chasing every AI tool. Instead, mastering a select few that offer real intelligence and impact is key. All the frontier models are incredibly capable and only getting better, literally every day.

📌 “What if generative AI is really about creativity?” – Henry Coutinho-Mason is spot on: AI isn’t replacing creativity. We’re lucky to be in an industry where human connection is the point, and AI will only sharpen that up by making us all more creative, productive, and get more value from events that embrace AI. Co-creating with AI is a great way to put it.

Ideas from Highbar

In my session, I shared insights from building Highbar, an AI-native co-pilot designed to enhance every part of the attendee experience.

👀 Your event’s superpower is attention.
Traditional event apps increase screen time. AI-native apps give time back. Instant answers, AI agents, and always-on help desks take pressure off your team and let attendees focus on the experience.

📉 Forget vanity event app metrics.
Event success isn’t about downloads or session views. AI shifts the focus to answers provided, connections made, and insights delivered—metrics that actually matter to #eventprofs.

🎯 Personalization at scale.
Every AI interaction makes the next one more personal and useful. This process is hands-off for organizers, but built with guardrails. AI agents will take this even further, surfacing what matters most in the moment.

See for Yourself

If you missed the summit, check out the recording here. Our session starts around minute 57.

Summit Speakers to Follow

These folks shared exciting ideas during the event and are absolutely worth following:

• Miguel Neves – Editor-in-chief at Skift Meetings
• Anca Platon Trifan, CMP, WMEP – Founder and event technologist
• Meg Pisani – VP of Supplier Relations, Maritz
• Henry Coutinho-Mason – Author, futurist, creativity evangelist
• Asaf Shuster – Founder & CEO, Kampfire
• Jonathan Easton – VP Product Design, Gevme
• Janette Roush – SVP Innovation & Chief AI Officer, Brand USA

The event was a powerful reminder that AI isn’t just a tool — it’s a mindset shift. We're grateful to be building at the intersection of events and AI, and even more excited about what’s coming next.

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