The Incentive Research Foundation (IRF) has released two studies to help incentive professionals understand the capabilities, explore the possibilities, and find out how the industry is currently using artificial intelligence (AI).

Providing an overview of how industry professionals are using AI, AI: Uses and Possibilities for Incentives Professionals suggests first steps with the technology and provides use cases that can enable current users to further harness the power of artificial intelligence. The AI Revolution offers an in-depth view of the vast possibilities of AI.

“From creating program structures to drafting communications and conducting data analysis, the use of AI tools is enabling incentives professionals to be more efficient and creative,” said Stephanie Harris, president, Incentive Research Foundation. “While there is some hesitation about embracing this technology, incentives professionals who have explored AI are impressed by the ease of use and how it can save time – and they are excited the possibilities of more sophisticated applications.”

AI: Uses and Possibilities for Incentives Professionals – The IRF recently conducted a series of focus groups with suppliers, third parties, and program owners who shared their insights, practical use cases, and hesitation around the AI technology. While these discussions revealed that AI use among incentive industry professionals is still in its early stages, use of artificial intelligence and interest in the technology are steadily increasing. The study explores how incentives professionals are using AI both in the travel and non-travel incentive arenas, information about the tools and programs they find most valuable relative to incentive programs, and the gains and impacts they’re experiencing as a result.

In AI: Uses and Possibilities for Incentives Professionals, incentive professionals share their experience with artificial intelligence. Comments include:

• “It’s about automating tasks that then relieve people from doing busy work. For example, we’re looking at implementing an AI solution to answer question after question that incentive program attendees ask. We had one coordinator answer 4,000 emails that were all questions answered in the registration materials. Pick up, drop off, expenses. AI can quickly answer these questions pointing back to registration materials. It means that that person can do other things that the organization needs their brain power for; more strategic things.”
• “We just closed the cycle for peer nominated awards. I have encouraged employees to use AI to strengthen their nomination write-ups. It levels the playing field for those that are not great writers. I have seen some of that pay off in the nominations being more equal.”
• “We use Chat GPT for smaller events to create itineraries. I would never use Chat GPT and assume I got it right for my President’s Club trip. We use it only for things too small for a third party to touch. We’re solving for a gap – finding new venues that have opened, new experiences.”

The AI Revolution: A Technical Review of AI Capabilities for Corporate Events, Rewards & Incentives takes a deep dive into what AI makes possible now and what will likely be possible very soon. The AI Revolution provides corporate events, rewards, and incentives professionals with a comprehensive overview of what they can accomplish using AI. While generative AI tools like ChatGPT provide just a glimpse of what is possible, advanced artificial intelligence can be used to enhance personalization, streamline operations, predict trends, and elevate engagement levels. This guidebook discusses AI capabilities, lists platform options, provides technical explanations, and predicts sophisticated use of the technology to enhance incentive and recognition programs.