AI is everywhere, transforming how we interact with technology and enhancing our everyday experiences. Within the realm of experiential, AI has become an invaluable tool, not only for streamlining production and personalisation within activations, but also adding a dynamic layer of gamification to boost user engagement. There are already a multitude of brave brands who've cleverly incorporated AI into their activations at some of the most renowned tech events this year, and we’ve rounded up some of our recent favourites...  

Meta at Cannes Lions

Meta captivated attendees by creating bespoke-to-Cannes activations, within their innovation-led space 'Meta Beach.' The pop-up celebrated Meta's latest advancements, featuring an AI-generated microphone booth that could translate attendees' voices into different languages in real time. This interactive element showcased the future of communication technology and how their platform can supercharge connections, by offering a unique experience that attendees would be sure to remember. 

Agency credit – Jack Morton Worldwide 

IBM at SXSW

IBM's presence at SXSW was showcased by the IBM AI Sports Club, a space dedicated to showcasing the transformative power of AI in the realm of sports. Attendees were invited to test their skills on AI-powered ping pong tables that featured custom paddles embedded with motion-tracking sensors, outputting real-time gameplay data for players including average swing speed and total numbers of forehands/backhands. The playful approach underscored the value of learning through engagement and play, making complex AI technology accessible and enjoyable. 

Agency credit – George P Johnson 

SK at CES

SK were the talk of CES this year with their amusement park-themed ‘SK Wonderland’ activation featuring a miniature train and a magic carpet ride in a flying vehicle. But what really stole the show was the AI Fortune Teller activation powered by “high-bandwidth memory technology” which generated queues as long as 45-minutes (we’re all used to lines at amusement parks anyway)! The tech snapped photos of attendees' faces and prompted them to select a card from an on-screen deck. Within moments, the AI analysed facial characteristics to produce a Tarot card-like print with a short, future-looking message.

The overwhelming popularity of this activation, along with the others we’ve highlighted, underscores the growing role AI plays in shaping brand experiences today. Here at Seen Presents, we don’t believe in tech for tech’s sake, but by purposefully incorporating AI into activations, brands can undoubtedly craft more personalised, engaging, and memorable interactions with their consumers. The sky is the limit with AI, and we’re looking forward to seeing how it will continue to evolve within the experiential space.