Generative AI: Wait a minute…Did I Write That?
Last month, I asked a group of meeting planners a simple question: “How many of you have used Generative AI?” Only a few hands went up. Then I showed them an email, warm, professional, perfectly written, and asked if they thought a human or AI created it. They debated. They analyzed tone. They voted. They were wrong. What surprised them most wasn’t that AI could write it. It was that they couldn’t tell the difference. And the truth is, that moment isn’t coming someday. It’s already here, and it’s quietly reshaping how meetings are planned, marketed, and experienced.
Wait a minute, I need to apologize. You see, I didn’t write that paragraph. My AI assistant, “G,” did. She thought it would be an interesting exercise to show how tricky it has become to distinguish between AI and human content. The reality of life in early 2026 is that many of us remember way back when Generative AI was a newbie, all the way back 2 or 3 years ago. Back then, it was clear what text was generated by AI. AI images were even easier to identify. Text misspelled. Humans with 7 fingers on a hand. Images lacking clarity.
That’s all changed. But the real conversation isn’t whether we like it or not. The conversation should be, what does this mean for faith-based planners? How can you, and should you, use these tools in your work? There are times when we don’t even realize we’re using Generative AI. It’s just so naturally ingrained into our work tools. Think about having your email program correct your spelling or provide better phrasing for that paragraph you just wrote.
But the real power in these tools isn’t the simple grammatical improvements to your writing. At EMERGE 2026, we showed dozens of examples of how Generative AI can be your essential partner in event work. Organizing your notes into a streamlined document. Creating that run of show from those messy notes. Developing social media posts, images, and videos to share. The list is extensive.
This is exactly why I’m excited to explore this with you. Over the next few issues, I’ll focus on some of the specific generative AI tools that are available right now and show you practical ways faith-based meeting planners are already using them to save time, spark creativity, and simplify their work. My goal isn’t to turn you into a tech expert. It’s to help you see what’s possible and to give you a few tools you can start using right away.
Wait a minute…did I write that?
Jim Spellos, President of Meeting U., is a trusted technology expert in the meetings and events industry and RCMA’s key technology voice. Known for making complex tools and trends clear, relevant, and actionable, he inspires audiences to embrace change, work smarter, and lead with confidence.