The atmosphere at the recent AI Initiatives in Associations was electric, buzzing with the shared excitement of association professionals eager to harness the power of AI. This wasn’t just a passive learning experience; it was a launchpad, propelling attendees into a future where AI transforms the very fabric of association management.

The day began by setting the stage for a future where AI isn’t just a technological advancement but a fundamental shift in how associations operate and thrive.

Navigating the AI Landscape with Purpose: Sherry Whitaker Budziak, CEO of .orgSource and Jack King, CIO at the American College of Surgeons engaged in a “fireside” chat on navigating the evolving world of AI in a way that aligns with an association’s core values and mission. They emphasized the importance of establishing a solid foundation for AI adoption by fostering a culture that embraces change, identifying essential building blocks, and prioritizing workforce training. Their insights provided attendees with practical strategies to ensure that AI integration is a seamless and successful process.

Cultivating a Culture of Innovation: Bill Bruce, CEO and Eric O’Conner, Chief Innovation Officer from the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology delivered an engaging session on how AI can be the catalyst for creating a culture of innovation within associations. They emphasized the importance of fostering an environment where experimentation is encouraged, continuous learning is celebrated, and data-driven decision-making becomes second nature.  Eric also showed off several of their custom GPTs that streamline their marketing operations.

Real-World AI Success Stories: AGU and AAD Pave the Way: Thad Lurie, Senior Vice President, Digital and Technology, American Geophysical Union and Caryn D. Etkin, PhD, MPH MPH Director, Clinical Registries and Quality Sciences, Science and Quality Division, American Academy of Dermatology, took center stage to share inspiring real-world examples of AI’s impact on their respective associations. Thad detailed how AGU, home to over 40,000 members and a vast repository of scientific knowledge, leverages AI and Natural Language Processing (NLP) to create personalized experiences for its members. By analyzing mountains of content—including journals, articles, and abstracts—AGU’s AI-powered system connects members with highly relevant research and surfaces valuable content tailored to their interests. Caryn, on the other hand, showcased how AAD’s DataDerm clinical data registry, powered by AI, is revolutionizing quality improvement and clinical research within dermatology. This collaborative AI approach, which draws data directly from electronic health records, enables AAD to standardize data collection, gain valuable insights into patient outcomes, and strengthen advocacy efforts.

Unlocking Operational Excellence: A panel of industry leaders, moderated by Kevin Ordonez (.orgSource), provided attendees with a front-row seat to the real-world applications of AI in association management. Panelists Manuel Alfaro, MBA, CIO and Senior Director, I&T, Digital Learning, and Membership, American College of Chest Physicians, Luke Vidacovich, Director, Digital Strategy and IT, American Animal Hospital Association, and Dean Comber, MBA, PMP, CSM, LSSGB | Vice President of Information Technology (Illinois Health and Hospital Association) shared their insights on how AI can revolutionize operational efficiency by streamlining processes, optimizing resources, and driving innovation. Their experiences served as a testament to the tangible benefits of AI adoption.

Transforming Data into Knowledge: The AFS Journey: Mike Lakas VP of IT and Operations, American Foundry Society) delivered a compelling presentation on AFS’s journey to revolutionize knowledge management within their organization. Facing the challenge of managing 127 years’ worth of research data, AFS embraced AI to transform their vast collection of articles and documents into an easily searchable and user-friendly knowledge base. Mike explained how their custom AI solution, similar to a ChatGPT designed specifically for AFS data, empowers both members and employees with advanced search capabilities, content generation features, and access to valuable insights.

From Inspiration to Action: Equipping Associations for SuccessThe afternoon closing session transitioned seamlessly from broader perspectives to practical, hands-on applications, equipping attendees with actionable strategies.

Sherry Budziak’s AI Toolkit for Success: Sherry’s presentation, “AI Hotlist: Top 10 AI Tools You Need to Use Today,” served as a dynamic call to action, urging attendees to embrace AI as a tool for immediate impact. Highlighting the unprecedented speed of AI adoption, she pointed to ChatGPT’s meteoric rise, amassing 50 million users in just 50 days. Sherry then introduced attendees to a curated selection of cutting-edge AI tools designed to revolutionize their workflows, including Otter.AI for efficient notetaking, Gamma for creating stunning presentations, and Eleven Labs for crafting engaging digital human experiences. Recognizing that identifying areas for AI integration is crucial, Sherry encouraged attendees to analyze their daily routines, pinpointing time-consuming, repetitive tasks that could be automated.

Key Takeaways: Embracing the AI Revolution

AI Initiatives in Associations left attendees energized and equipped to lead their associations into an AI-powered future. The key takeaways were clear:

  • AI is Not a Distant Future; It’s Here, Now: The rapid rise of AI tools like ChatGPT, coupled with the successful implementation stories shared by organizations like AGU, AAD, and AFS, served as a powerful reminder that AI is no longer a futuristic concept—it’s a transformative force available today.
  • Cultivating an AI-Ready Culture is Paramount: Speakers consistently emphasized the importance of fostering a culture that embraces change, encourages experimentation, and prioritizes continuous learning. By building a foundation that welcomes innovation, associations can unlock the full potential of AI.
  • From Operational Efficiency to Member Value, AI Delivers: AI Day showcased a wide array of AI applications, demonstrating its versatility in addressing diverse association needs. From streamlining operations and optimizing resource allocation to creating personalized member experiences and driving groundbreaking research, AI empowers associations to achieve new heights of efficiency and impact.
  • The Time to Act is Now: With AI tools readily available and a wealth of successful implementation stories to learn from, association professionals were left with a sense of urgency—the time to explore, experiment, and embrace the power of AI is now. If you are looking for a partner on this journey, join the conversation at .orgCommunity or reach out to .orgSource to learn more about training, workshops and how to create your own AI roadmap.
Posted in .orgCommunity, #association40, AANA, association management, best practice, Best Practices, big data, change management, collaboration, customer experience, data, data analytics, data governance, data readiness, disruption, Eric O'Connor, innovation, orgsource, solutions day, technology, Thought leadership and tagged ,