Introduction
If you attended a conference in 2023 and compared it to one in 2026, you might be surprised by how much has quietly changed. The microphones still work the same way. The presenter is still standing at a lectern. But behind the scenes, a wave of AI-powered technology is reshaping how hybrid conferences are produced, managed, and experienced — by both in-person and virtual delegates.
At Talking Slides, we’ve been producing virtual, hybrid, and physical conferences for over 26 years. We’ve seen plenty of technology trends come and go. But the AI shift happening right now in the events industry feels different — and if you’re an event organiser, it’s worth understanding exactly what it means for your next conference.
The Numbers Don’t Lie: AI Is Now Central to Events
According to the 2026 State of Events Benchmark Report from Bizzabo, a striking 95% of event teams expect their AI usage to increase in 2026. This isn’t a fringe trend — it’s a fundamental shift in how events are planned, delivered, and measured.
At the same time, in-person and hybrid events are booming. Research from EventsAir found that 97.4% of event professionals now rate in-person events as either ‘very important’ or ‘moderately important’ to their strategy. Hybrid formats continue to grow alongside this, with approximately 37% of event budgets now allocated to virtual and hybrid delivery.
AI isn’t replacing the human element of great event production. It’s amplifying it.
Where AI Is Actually Making a Difference
Here are the areas where AI is having the biggest practical impact on hybrid conference production right now:
1. Real-Time Captioning and Translation
AI-powered captioning tools can now generate accurate, live subtitles during presentations with very low latency. For medical conferences and academic events — a core audience for Talking Slides — this has been transformative. International delegates who might have previously struggled with accented English can now follow proceedings in real time. Some platforms are beginning to offer live translation into multiple languages simultaneously.
2. Automated Q&A Assistance
Managing audience questions at a hybrid event is one of the most logistically complex tasks for any production team. AI-assisted Q&A platforms (such as Slido, which we integrate with our platform) can now automatically help participants ask clearer questions with more confidence. AI helps them improve wording, shorten, longer questions and adjust tone before sending.
3. Live Translation and Captions
Language barriers can make it difficult for delegates to take part in an international event. AI-powered tools such as KUDO can translate a speaker’s words in real time, allowing attendees to listen in their chosen language or follow live captions. This can help people engage with presentations and discussions whether they are in the room or joining online.
What AI Cannot Replace
It’s important to be clear about what AI cannot do — at least not yet. The human expertise required to physically set up a four-room conference, manage technical run-throughs with nervous speakers, troubleshoot a live streaming outage mid-session, or capture surgical footage with broadcast-grade cameras for a medical procedure: none of this is being replaced by AI tools.
The value of an experienced, on-site AV production team is precisely its ability to respond to the unexpected — the last-minute speaker change, the delegate with access needs, the venue Wi-Fi that goes down at the worst moment. This is where 30 years of experience counts.
AI is a powerful co-pilot, but must work with human input to be successful.
How Talking Slides Is Embracing These Changes
We’ve always believed in pairing cutting-edge technology with traditional customer service. As AI tools continue to mature, we’re actively evaluating how they can enhance the production and delegate experience we provide — from smarter platform analytics to improved on-demand content delivery.
Our Talking Slides Platform already integrates interactive tools including Q&A, live polling, CPD assessments, and custom delegate directories. As AI capabilities within these tools develop, our clients will benefit directly — without needing to manage multiple vendors or platforms.
What This Means for Your Next Conference
If you’re planning a hybrid or virtual conference in 2026, here are three practical questions to ask your AV production partner:
• Do you offer real-time captioning for virtual attendees, and can this be integrated directly into the viewing platform?
• How do you handle Q&A across in-room and online delegates simultaneously, and does your platform support AI-assisted moderation?
• What does your on-demand content workflow look like post-event, and how quickly can delegates access recorded sessions?
If your current provider can’t answer those questions clearly, it may be time for a conversation.
Ready to Plan Your Next Event?
Whether you’re planning a small virtual study day, a large annual hybrid conference, or a specialist medical broadcast, the Talking Slides team would love to hear about it. We work closely with clients from initial concept through to delivery — and we genuinely love a challenge.
Get in touch with our team today on +44 (0)1803 864464, or visit www.talking-slides.com to find out more.
