What AI can't replace...
I attended a users group meeting for an AMS company this week, and you won't be surprised to hear that AI was the dominant topic. From the keynote speakers, to the breakout sessions, to the conversations in the halls and at lunch, it was "all-AI, all the time."
But I was struck by one fact: AI won't ever replace the learning that occurs when humans meet in person. From the serendipity of connecting association staff with a vendor they need to talk to, to hearing the stories (success and failure) of how different associations are addressing different challenges, something magical happens when humans meet.
I've always been a huge fan of user group meetings, in large part because the collective brain power is something that can't be replicated. Maybe in the age of AI, the collective brain power can be replicated. But the human connection can't be. That's one thing AI can't do.
![]()
Wes's Wednesday Wisdom Archives
Be deliberate, but act quickly
Be deliberate, but act quickly Be deliberate, but act quickly. These are my words of […]
Why associations don’t like the “S” word
Why associations don’t like the “S” word A couple of weeks ago I asked my […]
The “S” stands for “Standard”
The “S” stands for “Standard” In a conversation with a past client, we were discussing […]
Is that meaningless data?
Is that meaningless data? I’m not a big quotes guy, but one of the few […]
Be aware of unintended consequences
Be aware of unintended consequences I’ve written before that every decision involves a trade-off. When […]
Positive change is harder to see
Positive change is harder to see Humans are wired to see negative change because we […]
MVP: Minimum Viable Product
MVP: Minimum Viable Product In product development there is a concept known as MVP, or […]
You always need a reason for collecting data
You always need a reason for collecting data When you ask for data from someone […]
If you’re unhappy, speak up!
If you’re unhappy, speak up! My clients will often ask me something along the lines […]
Does it advance the mission?
Does it advance the mission? Because associations are mission-driven, everything you do should be seen […]
