Category: Data

Ep 104: Navigating the AI Boom: Ethical Challenges & Opportunities for Associations

Ep 104: Navigating the AI Boom: Ethical Challenges & Opportunities for Associations

In this episode of Association 4.0, we dive deep into how associations can harness the power of AI to stay ahead of the curve while navigating the challenges that come with misinformation, ethical dilemmas, and rapidly evolving technology.

Join Kelly Lakas, CEO and Founder of Onyx Point Systems, and Chris Hinrichs, PhD, CTO and Co-Founder of Onyx Point Systems, as they discuss their company’s mission to provide AI-driven solutions that enhance accessibility, usability, and impact for associations. Together, they explore the fascinating world of AI, from understanding the difference between confabulations and hallucinations to addressing the limitations of commercial AI models.

They also share thought-provoking insights on how AI could even influence what we think and how associations can embrace AI in ways that will save time, reduce frustration, and keep their members engaged. With the AI boom in full swing, it’s clear that associations who jump on board now can offer innovative services, improving operations and enhancing global reach—especially when it comes to language translation.

But as with any new technology, there are risks. Kelly and Chris highlight the importance of vetting AI partners carefully to ensure they align with your association’s goals and values. They also touch on the parallels between the dot-com boom and today’s AI revolution, stressing how essential it is for associations to evolve to stay competitive.

Tune in to hear all this and more, including a fun tidbit on keeping cheese on a pizza with… Elmer’s glue?

Don’t miss this essential conversation on the future of AI in associations!

Ep 103: Netflix-Style Education & the Innovation Revolution

Ep 103: Netflix-Style Education & the Innovation Revolution

In this episode, we sat down with Eric O’Connor, the Chief Innovation Officer at the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA). Eric is a visionary leader whose transformative work in corporate ventures and technology modernization has reshaped the way AANA operates and engages with its members. Under his leadership, the association has seen impressive growth in membership, revenue, and member value.

With a background in marketing and photography, Eric’s journey from owning a photography studio to pioneering innovation in the nonprofit and association sectors is a testament to his commitment to serving others. In fact, he’s been volunteering and serving on boards since the age of 17 and has a unique perspective on leadership, collaboration, and creating value.

One of Eric’s most impactful moves at AANA was digging into five years of member surveys, uncovering a clear call for accessible, low-cost, on-demand education. This insight led to the idea of “Netflix-style” education for AANA’s members—an innovation that exemplifies how listening to your members can spark game-changing solutions.

Eric also shares his excitement about the future of AI in association management and encourages leaders to take action, even when conditions aren’t “perfect.” He challenges associations to think beyond traditional revenue streams, urging them to explore new ways to stay relevant and thrive in an ever-evolving landscape.

Whether you’re an association leader or just someone passionate about innovation, this episode is packed with actionable insights and a call to stay curious, lead with purpose, and shape the future of associations together.

Tune in for a conversation about leadership, innovation, and the power of listening to your members!

Ep 99: Exploring Your Alternatives Using Decision Trees

Ep 99: Exploring Your Alternatives Using Decision Trees

In this episode, Sharon Rice, Managing Director of Business Strategy at .orgSource, delves into the powerful application of decision trees for navigating complex business choices. Through three illuminating examples, Sharon demonstrates how this tool can guide decisions with clarity and precision. First, Sharon explores the decision-making process behind whether to work, shop online, or stay in bed, weighing costs and potential revenues. Next, Sharon examines the critical question of whether to hold, cancel, or transition a fall conference to a virtual format, factoring in registration costs and associated probabilities. Lastly, Sharon tackles the nuanced issue of dues billing for the upcoming three months, weighing options like continuing as planned, suspending billing, or offering extended grace periods. By employing the decision tree framework, Sharon highlights how businesses can quantify costs, revenues, and probabilities to make well-informed, data-driven choices. Throughout the discussion, she underscore the importance of not only vetting numerical data but also integrating both quantitative and qualitative considerations in the decision-making process.

Listen in!

Ep 94: We are the Source of Truth Again

Ep 94: We are the Source of Truth Again

Despite the rapid rise of artificial intelligence and virtual services, a recent study found that students and younger generations are eager to attend in-person meetings and serve on committees. This is exciting news for associations and nonprofits as they look to the future to determine what value they can bring for members.

According to Senior Vice President of Digital and Technology at the American Geophysical Union, Thad Lurie, CAE, CIP, more and more people are hesitant to trust everything they read or see online and are seeking trustworthy sources to help answer their questions. This is where associations and nonprofits come in to help cut through the noise. The beautiful thing about these organizations is that they bring people together in a way that other businesses can’t because they can be a guiding entity that provides advice, resources, education, and camaraderie. While the digital landscape will continue to become more complex, trust by association is something organizations can look forward to.

With over 25 years of experience in IT and technology, Thad Lurie offers sound advice for analyzing data, choosing the right types of artificial intelligence, and strategies boards can do to become more successful. Listen in!

To get in touch with Thad Lurie, connect with him on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thadlurie/

Ep 87: To Invest Or Not To Invest In AI

Ep 87: To Invest Or Not To Invest In AI

To invest in AI or not? That is the question so many associations face. While artificial intelligence may seem innovative and technologically advanced, organizations need to think hard about whether it’s the right move for their company.

Too often, our guest, Joseph Knecht, CEO of Proteus, sees associations fail after throwing everything they have into AI or a new software system. In their mind, investing in a new software should solve all their problems because it’s the “digital era.” However, Knecht suggests that associations become more “strategy-minded rather than software-minded” and to focus more on the needs of their customers or members.

“Know your customers and what they need from you and equip yourself with the right infrastructure to do that. In that order,” says Knecht.

It’s time to stop blaming marketing or another department for any low registration numbers and to start understanding what values your members seek from your organization and create a solid business model that reflects that.

Tune in to this wisdom-packed episode to learn more about how to leverage AI more effectively and tips to build an organization that will last for years to come. To learn more about Joseph Knecht and his company, visit https://www.proteus.co or email Knecht directly at jknecht@proteus.co.

Ep 72: The AI Revolution: Navigating the Potential Impact and Perils

Ep 72: The AI Revolution: Navigating the Potential Impact and Perils

Welcome to episode 72 where Amy Williams, MSIMC, President and CEO of Hydra Communications LLC and Senior Consultant at .orgSource, and Jane Pearson, Vice President, Marketing and Communications at .orgSource, embark on a captivating journey through the vast landscape of artificial intelligence. In this thought-provoking episode, we delve into the transformative power of AI and its far-reaching implications for associations, exploring both the remarkable possibilities it offers and the potential dangers it presents. Join us as we navigate the intricate ethical, social, and economic dimensions of AI, understand how it is reshaping various sectors, uncover its potential for positive change, and delve into the critical discussions surrounding responsible AI development. Get ready to embark on an eye-opening exploration of AI’s impact and the imperative of shaping its future for the benefit of associations and beyond.

Ep 68: Drowning in Data – Identifying Event Data Points Most Beneficial to Associations

Ep 68: Drowning in Data – Identifying Event Data Points Most Beneficial to Associations

This week’s guest is Vinnu DeShetty, CEO and Founder of EVA Event Tech Hub. In this episode, Vinnu talks to us about key event data points that associations need to collect. With the gaining popularity of virtual events, associations now have a new layer of data that they’ve never collected before. No, event data is not new. Yes, there seems to be a lot more of it. Gone are the days when event data stays in its registration silos. Associations want to know what to do with data that can provide them insights that can help the entire organization.