Cogntionx公司總部位于倫敦,主營(yíng)為市場(chǎng)研究和論壇業(yè)務(wù)。自2017年以來(lái),每年6月公司都會(huì)舉辦行業(yè)聚會(huì),關(guān)注人工智能和其它新興技術(shù)對(duì)社會(huì)和商業(yè)活動(dòng)帶來(lái)的影響,是全球規(guī)模最大的行業(yè)會(huì)議之一。
去年,倫敦國(guó)王十字區(qū)舉辦為期三天的 CogX“人工智能和新興技術(shù)大會(huì)”有超過(guò)2萬(wàn)人參加 。會(huì)上設(shè)有12個(gè)會(huì)議廳舉辦相應(yīng)的講座和專題討論會(huì),687位發(fā)言人發(fā)表演講并參與討論,廣大與會(huì)者得以聆聽業(yè)界前沿信息。
現(xiàn)在的問(wèn)題是,如何在疫情期間舉辦規(guī)模如此大的聚會(huì)?連續(xù)創(chuàng)業(yè)者、CognitionX公司的創(chuàng)始人兼首席執(zhí)行官查理·繆爾黑德說(shuō):“我們進(jìn)行了深入研究。今年,為了能在保證人們健康與安全的前提下召開,我們擬定了完備的預(yù)案,規(guī)定了舉辦現(xiàn)場(chǎng)活動(dòng)需要滿足的各種條件,處處注意保持社交距離。然而最終的結(jié)論是:做不到。”
繆爾黑德表示,現(xiàn)在情況已經(jīng)很明確。此前,雖然英國(guó)政府已宣布開始放松管控,逐步解封,但仍然要求非必需企業(yè)要到6月中旬才能恢復(fù)營(yíng)業(yè),而酒吧、餐館等服務(wù)類行業(yè)最早也要到7月才可以重新營(yíng)業(yè)。
繆爾黑德和 CogX 團(tuán)隊(duì)也曾討論是否將活動(dòng)推遲。但是他們擔(dān)心推遲日程會(huì)跟當(dāng)?shù)仄渌萍紭I(yè)活動(dòng)“撞車”,比如倫敦科技周(London Tech Week)就已經(jīng)將時(shí)間表從夏季改到了秋季。
最終,CogX決定將活動(dòng)搬到線上,舉辦 “云展覽” ?!敦?cái)富》雜志等很多經(jīng)營(yíng)會(huì)展業(yè)務(wù)的公司都曾嘗試舉辦此類虛擬會(huì)議。同是線上活動(dòng),CogX無(wú)論在與會(huì)人數(shù)上,還是為大眾提供模擬現(xiàn)場(chǎng)參展情境的極致數(shù)字化體驗(yàn)方面的高要求,都體現(xiàn)了獨(dú)特的雄心。
事實(shí)上,CogX 計(jì)劃擴(kuò)展兩方面數(shù)據(jù):一是增加與會(huì)人數(shù),線上同時(shí)最多可容納50000名參會(huì)者;同時(shí)增加會(huì)議期間的活動(dòng)內(nèi)容。6月8日上午,今年的會(huì)議在倫敦開幕,設(shè)置了18個(gè)不同的虛擬“舞臺(tái)”,同步在線開展的各項(xiàng)活動(dòng)總時(shí)長(zhǎng)達(dá)324小時(shí),活動(dòng)主題涉及范圍廣泛,從未來(lái)的工作到前沿技術(shù),從道德倫理到網(wǎng)絡(luò)安全。
“如果要做,就要做大。”繆爾黑德說(shuō)。他指出,CogX 在過(guò)去幾年里嘗試過(guò)幾次直播,奠定了全球的觀眾基礎(chǔ)。
為了實(shí)現(xiàn)目標(biāo),CogX 要?jiǎng)?chuàng)建定制的虛擬峰會(huì)平臺(tái),將已有6個(gè)不同的直播和數(shù)字會(huì)議軟件整合到同一個(gè)用戶界面中??姞柡诘抡f(shuō):“可以這么講,想滿足我們的要求并沒(méi)有現(xiàn)成方案?!?/p>
他說(shuō),最終的結(jié)果是,盡量營(yíng)造接近現(xiàn)場(chǎng)參會(huì)所能體驗(yàn)到的社交和互動(dòng)機(jī)會(huì)。
今年的CogX 還包括虛擬博覽會(huì),與會(huì)者可以在博覽會(huì)上見(jiàn)到科技公司的代表們,也能夠通過(guò)會(huì)議平臺(tái)預(yù)約與代表一對(duì)一談話。在三天會(huì)議期間,CogX軟件平臺(tái)上還有贊助商和合作伙伴發(fā)起的約100場(chǎng)會(huì)外活動(dòng)。
Cogx 開發(fā)了基于人工智能的匹配系統(tǒng),可以向與會(huì)者推薦可能有必要建立聯(lián)系的人。論壇還提供收費(fèi)禮賓服務(wù),可以幫助與會(huì)者預(yù)約會(huì)面。
展會(huì)實(shí)行分層定價(jià)機(jī)制,人們可以在網(wǎng)上申請(qǐng)免費(fèi)門票,也能夠購(gòu)買價(jià)格更高的全球領(lǐng)導(dǎo)力峰會(huì)參會(huì)資格,另外參與“盛會(huì)中的盛會(huì)”??姞柡诘抡f(shuō),該峰會(huì)的目標(biāo)人群是高級(jí)管理層、創(chuàng)業(yè)企業(yè)家、政府官員、非營(yíng)利組織領(lǐng)導(dǎo)者和知名學(xué)者。4500位購(gòu)買參會(huì)資格的用戶發(fā)言和討論將遵守查塔姆宮規(guī)則(即與會(huì)者可以自由使用在會(huì)議中獲得的信息,但不得透露發(fā)言者及與之相關(guān)機(jī)構(gòu)的身份,也不得透露任何其他與會(huì)者及其相關(guān)組織的身份——譯者注),以促進(jìn)盡可能坦誠(chéng)和開放的對(duì)話與討論。
Cogx把“未來(lái)10年如何返回正規(guī)?”作為今年論壇的主題??姞柡诘陆忉屨f(shuō),該主題足夠?qū)挿?,涵蓋了從冠狀病毒大流行到氣候變化等一系列全球挑戰(zhàn)。雖然剛開始CogX 主要關(guān)注人工智能領(lǐng)域,但一直在拓寬議程范圍,包括討論技術(shù)對(duì)整個(gè)社會(huì)的影響。
開幕式上美國(guó)前國(guó)務(wù)卿約翰·克里將發(fā)表主題演講。其他演講者包括英國(guó)前首相托尼·布萊爾和美國(guó)駐聯(lián)合國(guó)前大使薩曼莎·鮑爾。還有一些著名的風(fēng)險(xiǎn)投資家,比如 Skype 的聯(lián)合創(chuàng)始人尼克拉斯·澤恩斯特羅姆,以及 Facebook 負(fù)責(zé)歐洲、中東和非洲地區(qū)的副總裁尼古拉·門德爾松。(財(cái)富中文網(wǎng))
譯者:Feb
Cogntionx公司總部位于倫敦,主營(yíng)為市場(chǎng)研究和論壇業(yè)務(wù)。自2017年以來(lái),每年6月公司都會(huì)舉辦行業(yè)聚會(huì),關(guān)注人工智能和其它新興技術(shù)對(duì)社會(huì)和商業(yè)活動(dòng)帶來(lái)的影響,是全球規(guī)模最大的行業(yè)會(huì)議之一。
去年,倫敦國(guó)王十字區(qū)舉辦為期三天的 CogX“人工智能和新興技術(shù)大會(huì)”有超過(guò)2萬(wàn)人參加 。會(huì)上設(shè)有12個(gè)會(huì)議廳舉辦相應(yīng)的講座和專題討論會(huì),687位發(fā)言人發(fā)表演講并參與討論,廣大與會(huì)者得以聆聽業(yè)界前沿信息。
現(xiàn)在的問(wèn)題是,如何在疫情期間舉辦規(guī)模如此大的聚會(huì)?連續(xù)創(chuàng)業(yè)者、CognitionX公司的創(chuàng)始人兼首席執(zhí)行官查理·繆爾黑德說(shuō):“我們進(jìn)行了深入研究。今年,為了能在保證人們健康與安全的前提下召開,我們擬定了完備的預(yù)案,規(guī)定了舉辦現(xiàn)場(chǎng)活動(dòng)需要滿足的各種條件,處處注意保持社交距離。然而最終的結(jié)論是:做不到?!?/p>
繆爾黑德表示,現(xiàn)在情況已經(jīng)很明確。此前,雖然英國(guó)政府已宣布開始放松管控,逐步解封,但仍然要求非必需企業(yè)要到6月中旬才能恢復(fù)營(yíng)業(yè),而酒吧、餐館等服務(wù)類行業(yè)最早也要到7月才可以重新營(yíng)業(yè)。
繆爾黑德和 CogX 團(tuán)隊(duì)也曾討論是否將活動(dòng)推遲。但是他們擔(dān)心推遲日程會(huì)跟當(dāng)?shù)仄渌萍紭I(yè)活動(dòng)“撞車”,比如倫敦科技周(London Tech Week)就已經(jīng)將時(shí)間表從夏季改到了秋季。
最終,CogX決定將活動(dòng)搬到線上,舉辦 “云展覽” ?!敦?cái)富》雜志等很多經(jīng)營(yíng)會(huì)展業(yè)務(wù)的公司都曾嘗試舉辦此類虛擬會(huì)議。同是線上活動(dòng),CogX無(wú)論在與會(huì)人數(shù)上,還是為大眾提供模擬現(xiàn)場(chǎng)參展情境的極致數(shù)字化體驗(yàn)方面的高要求,都體現(xiàn)了獨(dú)特的雄心。
事實(shí)上,CogX 計(jì)劃擴(kuò)展兩方面數(shù)據(jù):一是增加與會(huì)人數(shù),線上同時(shí)最多可容納50000名參會(huì)者;同時(shí)增加會(huì)議期間的活動(dòng)內(nèi)容。6月8日上午,今年的會(huì)議在倫敦開幕,設(shè)置了18個(gè)不同的虛擬“舞臺(tái)”,同步在線開展的各項(xiàng)活動(dòng)總時(shí)長(zhǎng)達(dá)324小時(shí),活動(dòng)主題涉及范圍廣泛,從未來(lái)的工作到前沿技術(shù),從道德倫理到網(wǎng)絡(luò)安全。
“如果要做,就要做大?!笨姞柡诘抡f(shuō)。他指出,CogX 在過(guò)去幾年里嘗試過(guò)幾次直播,奠定了全球的觀眾基礎(chǔ)。
為了實(shí)現(xiàn)目標(biāo),CogX 要?jiǎng)?chuàng)建定制的虛擬峰會(huì)平臺(tái),將已有6個(gè)不同的直播和數(shù)字會(huì)議軟件整合到同一個(gè)用戶界面中??姞柡诘抡f(shuō):“可以這么講,想滿足我們的要求并沒(méi)有現(xiàn)成方案?!?/p>
他說(shuō),最終的結(jié)果是,盡量營(yíng)造接近現(xiàn)場(chǎng)參會(huì)所能體驗(yàn)到的社交和互動(dòng)機(jī)會(huì)。
今年的CogX 還包括虛擬博覽會(huì),與會(huì)者可以在博覽會(huì)上見(jiàn)到科技公司的代表們,也能夠通過(guò)會(huì)議平臺(tái)預(yù)約與代表一對(duì)一談話。在三天會(huì)議期間,CogX軟件平臺(tái)上還有贊助商和合作伙伴發(fā)起的約100場(chǎng)會(huì)外活動(dòng)。
Cogx 開發(fā)了基于人工智能的匹配系統(tǒng),可以向與會(huì)者推薦可能有必要建立聯(lián)系的人。論壇還提供收費(fèi)禮賓服務(wù),可以幫助與會(huì)者預(yù)約會(huì)面。
展會(huì)實(shí)行分層定價(jià)機(jī)制,人們可以在網(wǎng)上申請(qǐng)免費(fèi)門票,也能夠購(gòu)買價(jià)格更高的全球領(lǐng)導(dǎo)力峰會(huì)參會(huì)資格,另外參與“盛會(huì)中的盛會(huì)”??姞柡诘抡f(shuō),該峰會(huì)的目標(biāo)人群是高級(jí)管理層、創(chuàng)業(yè)企業(yè)家、政府官員、非營(yíng)利組織領(lǐng)導(dǎo)者和知名學(xué)者。4500位購(gòu)買參會(huì)資格的用戶發(fā)言和討論將遵守查塔姆宮規(guī)則(即與會(huì)者可以自由使用在會(huì)議中獲得的信息,但不得透露發(fā)言者及與之相關(guān)機(jī)構(gòu)的身份,也不得透露任何其他與會(huì)者及其相關(guān)組織的身份——譯者注),以促進(jìn)盡可能坦誠(chéng)和開放的對(duì)話與討論。
Cogx把“未來(lái)10年如何返回正規(guī)?”作為今年論壇的主題??姞柡诘陆忉屨f(shuō),該主題足夠?qū)挿?,涵蓋了從冠狀病毒大流行到氣候變化等一系列全球挑戰(zhàn)。雖然剛開始CogX 主要關(guān)注人工智能領(lǐng)域,但一直在拓寬議程范圍,包括討論技術(shù)對(duì)整個(gè)社會(huì)的影響。
開幕式上美國(guó)前國(guó)務(wù)卿約翰·克里將發(fā)表主題演講。其他演講者包括英國(guó)前首相托尼·布萊爾和美國(guó)駐聯(lián)合國(guó)前大使薩曼莎·鮑爾。還有一些著名的風(fēng)險(xiǎn)投資家,比如 Skype 的聯(lián)合創(chuàng)始人尼克拉斯·澤恩斯特羅姆,以及 Facebook 負(fù)責(zé)歐洲、中東和非洲地區(qū)的副總裁尼古拉·門德爾松。(財(cái)富中文網(wǎng))
譯者:Feb
Each June since 2017, CognitionX, a London-based market research and conference business, has hosted one of the world’s largest annual gatherings devoted to the impact of artificial intelligence and other new technologies on society and business.
Last year, more than 20,000 people attended the three-day CogX “festival of A.I. and emerging technology” in London’s King Cross district, where they listened to 687 speakers participating in talks and panel discussions held on 12 different stages.
But how do you hold such a massive gathering in the midst of a pandemic? “We looked into it,” Charlie Muirhead, the serial technology entrepreneur who is CognitionX's founder and chief executive officer, says. “We prepared a full health and safety plan of what would have been required to hold it this year as a physical event, with social distancing. But the conclusion was: We couldn’t do it.”
This became especially apparent, Muirhead says, after the U.K. government announced that while it was beginning to ease the country's lockdown, non-essential businesses would not be allowed to resume operation until mid-June, while hospitality businesses—such as bars and restaurants—would not be allowed to reopen until July at the earliest.
Muirhead and his CogX team debated whether to postpone the event until later in the year. But they worried about scheduling clashes with other local tech-related events, such as London Tech Week, that have also been shifted from the summer to the autumn.
In the end, CogX decided to move online as a virtual event. Plenty of other companies with events businesses, including Fortune, have tried to hold virtual events. But CogX's ambitions, in terms of the number of participants and how closely it wanted the digital experience to mimic its past live events, were unique.
In fact, CogX planned to expand both the number of attendees—catering to an online audience of up to 50,000 people—and the amount of content in the festival. This year’s CogX, which kicks off in London on June 8 morning, will feature 18 different virtual “stages” and 324 hours of simultaneous programming on topics ranging from the future of work to technology and ethics to cybersecurity.
“If we were going to do it, we wanted to do it big,” Muirhead says, noting that CogX has already livestreamed the festival for the past few years, enabling it to build a global audience.
Fulfilling this ambition has required CogX to create a bespoke virtual summit platform by integrating six different pre-existing livestreaming and digital conference software programs into a single front-end user interface. "Suffice it to say, there was no off-the-shelf solution that could do all of this," Muirhead says.
The end result is, he says, is an attempt to recreate—as much as possible—the kinds of networking opportunities and interactions that physical, live events offer.
This year's CogX includes a virtual expo where participants meet with representatives from technology companies, along with virtual one-on-one meetings that participants will be able to schedule through the conference platform. There will also be about 100 different side events, hosted by CogX’s sponsors and partners, that will take place on the CogX software platform over the course of the three days.
CogX has developed an A.I.-powered matchmaking system that recommends to attendees others whom they might benefit from connecting with during the festival. The conference is also offering a concierge service that will help book meetings for attendees, for an additional fee.
CogX created a tiered pricing scheme, ranging from some free tickets that people can apply for online, to a premium Global Leadership Summit pass, which attendees have to apply for and which provides access to a separate “festival within the festival." This Summit is aimed at C-suite executives, startup entrepreneurs, government officials, non-profit leaders, and prominent academics, Muirhead says. The talks and discussions for these 4,500 passholders will be held according to the Chatham House Rule, meaning no one can be quoted by name, in order to facilitate as candid and open a dialogue as possible, he says.
CogX chose “How do we get the next 10 years right?” as the theme of this year’s festival. That theme was broad enough to encompass a range of global challenges, from the coronavirus pandemic to climate change, Muirhead explains. And while CogX began focused largely on artificial intelligence, the conference has been broadening its agenda to take in the impact of technology on society overall.
Former U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry will be headlining the festival with a keynote address on Monday. Other speakers are set to include former U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair and former U.S. Ambassador to the UN Samantha Power. There will also be prominent venture capitalists, such as Skype co-founder Niklas Zennstrom, and Nicola Mendelsohn, who is Facebook’s vice president for Europe, the Middle East and Africa.