AI Readiness for Event Teams: A Practical Framework for Adoption

Most event teams know AI is coming — they just don’t know where to start. In this episode of The Event Debrief, Alex Urquhart speaks with David Watt, CEO of CI Group, about what it actually takes for event teams to become AI-ready. After surveying 380+ event planners worldwide, EventsAir found that 62%+ still struggle to adopt AI with confidence — this conversation is built to close that gap. David breaks down CI Group’s EASE Framework — a practical, four-part model for moving from AI curiosity to confident, scalable adoption — and explains why nearly 85% of AI pilots fail before they ever deliver value. They explore: Why most AI pilots fail (and what “boiling the ocean” means) The EASE Framework: Educate, Adopt, Secure, Enrol Where event teams should run their first AI pilots The security risks planners underestimate — shadow IT and free AI tools How to embed AI into everyday workflows without overwhelming staff Real examples of AI pilots that worked, from proposals to client chatbots The one practical step to take if you feel behind on AI Whether you run conferences, exhibitions, corporate events or association meetings, this episode gives you a clear, jargon-free starting point for AI adoption that actually sticks. Guest: David Watt — CEO, CI Group Hosted by: Alex Urquhart, EventsAir Follow the podcast for more conversations on AI adoption, event technology, and the future of events. Important links from the episode: 🔗 Find out more about CI Group’s EASE Framework here: https://www.cigroup.co.uk/ai_sami/ 🔗 Connect with David Watt on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/d-watt/