AI May Be Everywhere, But It's Not Everything
It seems like we can’t escape artificial intelligence (AI) no matter where we go. It can produce some astonishing results in research, image generation, and digital layouts with tremendous speed.
The problem is that many industries are overtrusting AI due to its power. Some companies are replacing the human factor with AI rather than treating it as a tool. Leaning too heavily into AI can prove risky — it could even backfire.
Look at the recent backlash to J.Crew’s AI-generated Instagram ad. The iconic brand relied on AI-generated images instead of using real models, and the inconsistencies in the images made the campaign feel inauthentic — critics even called out J.Crew for attempting to “counterfeit their own vibes.”
The lesson from J.Crew is that AI can create output, but it cannot create trust. It’s a message that should translate into the event world. Human expertise is the foundation for creating spaces that welcome, inspire, and connect real people. In other words, empathy is key when using AI in event planning.
That’s where CORT comes in. With CORT, you have more than just tools at your fingertips — you have human expertise and support. In this article, we will explore how CORT takes a human-first approach to event planning.
The Irreplaceable Human Factor in Event Design
It might be tempting to rely heavily on AI for event planning, but the human factor in designing is paramount. AI can give you excellent renderings of what a space looks like, but it doesn’t give you a sense of how it feels.
Human-centered event design starts with considering attendee demographics, emotions, and expectations before, during, and after the event. Will guests feel comfortable? Will the seating invite conversation? Will the design work well for diverse personalities and abilities?
First-time attendees have different needs from veteran guests. Some attendees are wired for high-energy activations, while others crave quiet places to recharge.
CORT will help you work through the needs of various attendees from the start of the planning process. Our guidance will help you maintain spaces that are both functional and emotionally attuned. Using AI at events can’t replicate that human factor, and CORT can be your partner that helps you view your attendees as individuals rather than data points.
What Human Expertise Delivers That AI Cannot
AI is an excellent tool for logistics, but it won’t foresee issues and adapt as effectively as a human can. Here are some examples of insights that human expertise sees that AI can’t:
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Humans can read the room in real time. A human can sense energy shifts and adjust flow or pacing in a way that a computer can’t.
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Personal expertise is sensitive to cultures. Unlike AI, humans can make design choices that honor heritage and avoid missteps.
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People can take accessibility into account. A human can address mobility and sensory needs, whereas AI can’t.
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A human can balance sponsors, brands, and guest expectations gracefully. AI doesn’t grasp stakeholder dynamics.
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The human factor allows you to shape the narrative of an event, incorporating both energetic and quiet moments. A computer can’t grasp emotional storytelling.
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People can manage crises and pivot creatively when things go wrong. AI can’t do that.
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Human expertise is crucial to building relationships and fostering trust through active listening, genuine care, and responsiveness. AI can only coldly mimic relationships.
Partnering with CORT ensures that you don’t have to face these complexities alone. Our team arrives with experience, emotional intelligence, and service that you can count on to navigate everything your event planning entails.
Trust But Verify
There’s a place for technology in the event planning process. You can use AI to generate mockups, automate tasks, and even suggest layouts based on data. Technology is a valuable tool for saving time, reducing manual labor, and providing a starting point.
Efficiency doesn’t replace humanity. AI is only as good as the data that it feeds on, and you can’t trust a computer to know the nuances of your client’s brand, your audience, or the specific atmosphere you want to create. That’s why you need someone to confirm, question, and check whether the output feels right, not just looks right.
CORT understands how furniture placement affects flow, how textures influence mood, and how to anticipate flex points in your plan. We’ll work with you to refine, challenge, and adjust your designs and strategies until they align with the goals of the event and the needs of attendees. You’re never on your own with a blind trust of AI — you’ve got real people backing you up.
Empathy As the Competitive Advantage
In a world driven by cold AI data, empathy makes the difference. Guests may forget the exact details of a design, but they’ll always remember how an event made them feel. You have to measure events today not just by attendance but by the trust, connection, and belonging that the event fosters.
That’s why the emotional core of the event is paramount, and that’s why you need a partner like CORT. We help you blend efficiency with human support and service — and that helps your events stand above the crowd.
Human Design for Human Experiences
Think back to that J.Crew Instagram ad; it’s a powerful object lesson for what happens if you rely on AI too much. Customers can lose authenticity and experience eroded trust. The stakes are even higher for events that put people and brands face to face.
AI is great for efficiency, but it’s no replacement for the human factor. When you team up with CORT Events, you get more than on-trend furniture or state-of-the-art planning tools — you get a team of people who listen, care, and walk with you through every step of designing an authentic and deeply human event.
CORT Events offers you the advantage of a true human partnership that combines innovative tools, nationwide service, and expert guidance to create an event that resonates with the unique factors only humanity can bring to the table.
