The adoption of Artificial Intelligence reflects a dynamic intersection of branding, innovation, and technology. Our mission is to make information—even the dry and mundane—fascinating so that people are engaged. After all, engagement is the most critical step towards retention.
Cramer’s initial applications using artificial intelligence in an event setting focused on leveraging generative AI tools to create interactive and visually captivating elements such as AI-driven avatars, character transformations, and engaging photo booths. Though still in its early stages, AI’s enthusiastic adoption by clients and positive reception from attendees highlights its potential to transform event experiences.
“There really isn’t a part of the event and production ecosystem that AI isn’t going to touch if it hasn’t started already,” says Vincent Higgins, Senior Director of Creative Technology at Cramer. “The limitations of current applications are real but destined to be short-lived. AI advancements are reaching the market at a pace unseen in any previous tech,” he adds.
We are steadily exploring AI’s transformative potential, balancing creativity with technical sophistication. Many activations that initially leaned heavily on novelty are gaining true operational efficiency. Participants, planners, and sponsors alike are already feeling the AI-driven wave of change that is making events more productive and effective.
At the heart of AI’s integration lies its potential to transform the attendee experience. We have recently introduced AI avatars onto the main stage of several events. The AI “MC” not only moves the event along but interacts with the mainstage presenters. That same AI avatar has been deployed throughout events—as a concierge or AI assistant for the attendees. Consistency in tone and messaging is much simpler to achieve with the AI MC, making efforts invested to create the virtual MC presence add value across the entire event.
Real-time closed captioning and translation tools are important innovations in breaking language barriers. AI can translate speech and recreate it in the speaker’s own voice in real time. In addition to accommodating multilingual attendees, audiences worldwide can be addressed virtually to expand the event’s reach. AI-assisted publishing of session transcriptions accommodates hearing impaired attendees, as well as speeding the distribution of notes and summaries for blogs, press articles, and social media posts.
By removing common friction points, AI has the capability to amplify engagement in meaningful ways. One of the common use cases is in its ability to create summaries and high-level bullet points of important takeaways from sessions. This creates more opportunity for attendees to be fully absorbed in the moment with speakers taking care of all needs for manual notetaking. To expand on mediums in the use-case video highlight reels are also able to be created instantaneously with AI powered editing tools.
Beyond content absorption, AI transforms logistics and interaction. Facial recognition kiosks with streamline check-in, welcoming attendees individually and personalized chatbots embedded into digital signage simplify navigation, answering questions seamlessly and helping guests effortlessly find their way through confusing venues and packed schedules.
Memorable experiences extend beyond the sessions. AI “tchotchkes” are gaining rapid acceptance and popularity. AI-driven photo booths have become attendee favorites, allowing guests to transform their own images and voices creatively giving them fun digital assets to take home to remember their time at these events
AI significantly enhances attendee experiences by removing common friction points and amplifying engagement in meaningful ways. Imagine attending sessions fully immersed, without the distraction of frantic notetaking, because AI effortlessly captures session highlights and provides concise, actionable summaries. Moments after presentations conclude, attendees can revisit key points or even receive video highlight reels, distributed almost instantly thanks to AI-powered tools.
Beyond content absorption, AI transforms logistics and interaction—turning potential pain points into personalized experiences. Facial recognition kiosks w streamline check-in, welcoming attendees individually and personalized chatbots embedded into digital signage simplify navigation, answering questions seamlessly and helping guests effortlessly find their way through confusing venues and packed schedules.
Our utility of AI extends beyond visual appeal, encompassing practical applications that streamline event production and execution. We remain a human-first agency, where our team produces unrivaled written and visual expositions of the information attendees come to learn.
For research and planning, tools like ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and Copilot provide rapid information vetting and creative brainstorming support. From concept and storyboarding through final script writing, AI improves productivity so that the best ideas emerge in the finished work. Generative AI gives them many more opportunities to get it right in the available time.
Generative AI tools like Adobe Firefly, which is built into the Adobe Creative Suite ecosystem, enhance workflows for designers and audio engineers. Audio cleanup and noise reduction are essential elements for high-quality production value, AI allows for this to be done exponentially quicker. At a recent event, Cramer deployed AI-powered reverberation removal that eliminated echoes throughout a large venue with remarkable precision and speed.
Production of event graphics and images is another area where AI is becoming the norm—by default. All top photo and drawing tools such as Midjourney’s text-to-image tool include AI features to enhance composition and editing. Even smart phones use AI to remove objects or change backgrounds without laborious outline tracing. AI generation of original images from text prompts, such as those created by tools like MidJourney, produces work that is not “real,” but is completely convincing—much like stock photos, but more customizable. It is important to remember that AI is being used as an enhancement tool in the creative process rather than a replacement.
Looking ahead, AI promises to redefine event planning by amplifying efficiency and creativity. Data analytics will play a pivotal role in optimizing layouts and improving attendee flow, while real-time feedback mechanisms powered by AI will enable on-the-spot adjustments to programming and logistics. Event planners are poised to expand AI’s use as a creative partner for ideation, scriptwriting, and concept development.
Moreover, tools like SketchUp may soon integrate AI for set rendering, offering near-instantaneous visualizations of stage designs. Designers and planners will be able to use these advancements to walk through virtual reality sets to avoid costly and time-consuming physical mock-ups. This means allocating more time to the strategic and emotional aspects of event creation.
The next frontier of event production is being shaped by improvements in generative AI, including digital twin technology and real-time emotion analysis. Digital twins offer hyper-accurate venue mapping and attendee persona modeling to predict visitor flows and room loading. Emotion analysis allows event producers to gauge audience reactions and adapt presentations dynamically. This trend, coupled with sustainability-focused AI tools, will redefine how events are conceptualized and executed.
Despite its potential, AI in events is not without challenges. Mistrust and apprehension about AI among certain demographics can hinder adoption. Concerns around data security and privacy are particularly significant, as attendee information becomes increasingly integral to personalized experiences.
Additionally, over-reliance on AI risks diluting the human touch that makes events memorable. Balancing automation with authenticity is a delicate task, requiring thoughtful integration of technology into human-centric processes. Finally, the learning curve for both event planners and attendees pose a barrier to widespread adoption.
AI is undeniably a powerful tool for enhancing creativity and operational efficiency in event production. At Cramer, it serves as an enabler of innovation, complementing human talent rather than replacing it. By integrating AI into our processes, it ensures that technology amplifies the emotional and experiential aspects of their events.
“Combining AI technology with human intuition and human experience allows us to do things today that were formerly prohibitive or impossible. We focus more on the “why” to make event experiences that are better than ever before,” says Sean McGuire, Cramer’s Senior Vice President of Technology.
As the industry continues to evolve, the challenge lies in maintaining the balance between leveraging AI’s capabilities and preserving the personal touch that defines exceptional events. With AI as a partner in creativity and strategy, we are poised to redefine the boundaries of what’s possible in event production, setting a benchmark for the future of the industry.