AI blackmailing a human? Yes—sort of. This was part of a recent controlled experiment involving an artificial intelligence (AI) system that was slated for removal, featured in an Anthropic article. Thankfully, the scenario was fictional.
Still, this example highlights a powerful truth: AI is not just evolving—it’s pushing boundaries we never imagined.
The most significant innovations throughout human history have always triggered major, often contentious, debates. And yet, time and again, we’ve found ways to leverage the innovations—for good or ill.
Take nuclear energy. It can be a devastating weapon, or it can power cities and treat cancer. The internet? It eliminated some jobs, but it also birthed entirely new industries and revolutionized remote work.
Now, AI is following that same trajectory—with one major difference: it can outperform human intelligence in certain domains. That fact alone demands thoughtful regulation and ethical boundaries. But when used wisely, AI offers extraordinary value, transforming how we live and work.
In 100 years, historians may compare this era to the Industrial Revolution. Society will change. Some jobs will vanish; others will emerge. AI will impact everyone on Earth.
GROWING YOUR BUSINESS, RECLAIMING TIME
And yet, in the meeting event industry, many still ignore or resist this shift. If you’re not using AI today, you’re risking irrelevance—and missing enormous opportunities to grow your business, improve productivity and reclaim time for what matters most.
Just imagine:
- AI agents enhancing your client service.
- Smarter, faster pitch and proposal preparation.
- Seamless business operations.
When I started my first corporate events agency, I’d prospect all day and write proposals at night. I’d begin by tearing long faxes off the machine, sorting and stapling them by client.
One of my biggest early investments was hiring a senior executive assistant—a significant risk in Belgium, where social security costs were astronomical.
Every proposal required manual research: What were the prospect’s industry challenges? What was their competition doing? Which articles mentioned them?
Fast forward to today: I can automate 70% of a proposal’s structure, hire a virtual EA anywhere in the world and gather detailed insights on any industry or company in minutes. My CRM tracks every client interaction and automates my marketing sequences. AI tools correct my writing, refine presentations and even optimize how I communicate based on someone’s LinkedIn profile.
From sales and marketing to operations, AI is a game-changer.
There’s truly never been a more exciting time to own a small business in our industry.
And the future? Brighter than ever. AI won’t replace face-to-face meetings—it will amplify their value. As Mark Cuban tweeted on June 5, 2025: "Within the next three years, there will be so much AI, in particular AI video, people won’t know if what they see or hear is real. Which will lead to an explosion of f2f engagement, events and jobs." We are living in extraordinary times.
