Organisers

Producers, Managers
and Convenors

As the Professional Conference Organisers Association gears up for their national conference and exhibition in December, they caught up with one of their featured speakers, Tomer Garzberg, founder and CEO of GRONADE.com.

Tomer-GarzbergQ – Can you tell us a what the philosophy is behind GRONADE?

Throughout history, humanity has seen its share of disruptive technologies, yet some were so pivotal to how far ahead we could propel ourselves, that it changed the course of how modern society evolves. These pivotal technologies include the steam engine and the domestication of electricity, even more so than the personal computer did. We are about to experience the ‘new electricity’, that is, machine intelligence (commonly referred to as artificial intelligence).

Machine intelligence has the potential to liberate us from mundane labour, and free us to be contributing to society in ways where machines simply cannot. It makes us more human.

Q – Why did you accept to speak at PCOA18?

I’m a big believer that, while the common phrase ‘the Future of Work’ tends to focus on what might become of our work life as machine intelligence takes a foothold in our careers, it’s a great opportunity to speak about the reality of how machine intelligence is practically changing the world today.

Q – How will your presentation – the Future of Work resonate with the PCOA18 conference theme, ‘Embracing Change – How Agile Are You?’?

I want to help create a dialogue where machine intelligence doesn’t simply induce the fear of unknown, but the understanding of what it can do, its limitations and opportunities, and how to embrace this inevitable change as opposed to having to deal with an existential crisis.

Q – What are the three key messages delegates will take away from your presentation?

What actually is artificial intelligence, and the limitations of today’s algorithms
Why the shift towards artificial augmentation of human tasks is inevitable
How human mindsets and their workplaces must evolve as the notion of work changes
Q – What advice can you give to those entering the ever-changing events industry?

No industry is immune to change, and while some industries are more human-to-human-centric operationally, it’s the peripheral tasks outside of the obvious which will recalibrate due to machine-led disruption. So if change really is inevitable, embracing it is the primary catalyst for capitalising on the opportunities at hand. Identify the inefficiencies in every facet of your industry, focus on where our organisation leaves the most money on the table, and this will guide you as to where machine intelligence can transform your organisation, and your industry, forever.

SaxtonTomer Garzberg is sponsored by Saxton Speakers Bureau.

The 11th annual PCOA Conference and Exhibition will be held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre between 9-11 December.

Published by Australasian Special Events
www.specialevents.com.au