Have you been exploring how artificial intelligence is going to affect your association in the coming years? If you have, you’re not alone. Most of us are trying to determine how AI is going to affect us, and what proactive measures we need to take to stay ahead.

At IntelliData, we have been engaging in insightful discussions about what associations need from their data and debating if AI is the optimal solution to meet those needs. Although AI has many useful features, our conversations have focused on crucial areas that hold significance for associations. Then based on our deep understanding of association practices, we have arrived at three insights for your AI adoption.

Customer Service

Enhanced customer service is one of the AI benefits that providers advertise, and they almost always mention chatbots. At first glance, chatbots seem to be ideal answers. They work 24/7 on your website or app, helping members when it’s convenient for the members. Chatbots “learn” from customer feedback and can become better at answering questions or initiating contact with prospective members. If the questions get too complicated, chatbots can bounce the query to a human representative.

The downside is that chatbots are only as “smart” as your existing resources. They rely on information like FAQs or scripted responses as the basis of their interactions.

 Your team might be great at creating fact sheets to answer questions from your members and prospective members as they browse your website. If so, you are way ahead in prepping a chatbot. If, however, creating FAQs or other association information for your website is a difficult task because of available team bandwidth, you might not be ready to implement a chatbot just yet. Your staff must provide the basis of what the chatbot “knows.”

 Cybersecurity

Everyone is concerned about keeping data secure, and cybersecurity AI can help by analyzing behavior patterns in your software, apps and stored information. AI interprets how your members use digital tools and can identify normal patterns in your links and emails, as well as when your system is accessed and how information is entered. If it spots an activity that is outside of normal use, AI can flag it or remove it.

 Although using AI for online security can help keep malicious actors out of your systems, you must examine the customer service downsides. Does your security provide a benefit, or does it make interacting with your website or data difficult? Are you ready to work with your cybersecurity AI and help it learn what is acceptable behavior for your staff and members? If not, you could hamper interactions at odd times of day or from remote locations, making it harder for members to get the information they need and team members to do their work.

 Customer Relationship Management

Even the smallest associations already have thousands of records stored in their databases. As individual pieces of data, however, records don’t have great value. The value in your data comes when you’re able to see patterns that allow you a deeper understanding of what your members’ activities and priorities.  . By uncovering these patterns, you gain valuable insights into your members’ behavior and preferences. 

 AI can add another layer to your member data by scraping information from media sources, social media or email newsletters. And by understanding where your new members hang out digitally and what’s happening in their lives and careers, you can tailor your marketing messages to resonate with them effectively. The goal is to find new ways to attract prospective members and keep current members satisfied.

 Taking Care of the Basics

More than likely, the question you’d really like to answer is: Will AI help my association answer the important questions about our members? The answer is: Maybe.

 To get the most out of the data you have and the data you intend to collect, it is crucial to ensure the accuracy and quality of records from various sources. These sources may include membership data, event participation records, product purchases, webinar registrations and certification courses. We used to call it “clean data.” Getting there, however, often seems like an insurmountable task. Manually examining thousands of records is simply mind-numbing.

The good news is that you don’t have to manually scroll through all your records looking for anomalies. You don’t even need AI to do it. You need a systematic approach to standardizing your data, keeping the most useful information and eliminating duplicate records – something Intellidata does every day.

Our process allows us to tailor our response to your needs. At IntelliData, we can make it effortless for you to gather and interpret the data you need to make better informed decisions. We can help you identify patterns and trends easier with existing data analytics and visualization tools. You won’t need to use AI to make peace with your data, and if you use AI, our work will help create better end results.

 If you’re thinking about moving to a new AMS or CRM, we can help you migrate your data and convert to the new system. With a proven track record in data migration, including collaborations with associations like the Society of Neuroscience, we offer comprehensive support from start to finish. We’ve worked with many different systems and have the experience to manage and process large data sets.

The rise of AI products demonstrates how important data is – and how critical managing that data is – but also showcases how it can profoundly impact associations. Additionally, it  presents opportunities for associations to leverage their data effectively, enhance member experiences, streamline operations, and strengthen cybersecurity. In today’s landscape, data-driven decision-making is paramount, and we understand the value it holds for your association.  At IntelliData, we can help you effectively manage your data, ensuring that you have the necessary tools and insights to make informed and optimal decisions.