Author - Ben Yurcisin
As I entered the Javits Center for the AI Summit New York 2024, I was buzzing with anticipation. AI has developed and advanced rapidly since the last AI Summit one year ago, and I was keen to get a sense of what startups and the enterprise are building with this next wave. With over 5,000 delegates registered, AI professionals from across the globe had descended upon the city to explore how AI is revolutionizing industries, government, and everyday life.
It wasn’t just another tech conference—it was a place where AI’s power to transform society was being unveiled in real-time. But like any event that promises big things, there were a few surprises along the way.
The first big moment of the day came when Governor Kathy Hochul took the stage.
Addressing a crowd of eager technologists and business leaders, the Governor discussed AI’s critical role in improving life for New York citizens. She explained how AI is being leveraged to streamline services like acquiring a driver’s license, filing unemployment claims, and even applying for permits, which in the past could take days or even weeks. With AI, these processes are set to become seamless, reducing waiting times and creating more efficient, user-friendly government services.
But that wasn’t all. New York is taking bold steps by incorporating AI into sectors that typically deal with bottlenecks and inefficiencies, such as liquor licensing. Imagine being able to apply for a liquor license and have it processed within a matter of hours rather than the usual tedious paperwork marathon. AI is paving the way for a future where these time-consuming bureaucratic processes are a thing of the past.
AI isn’t just about making life easier for citizens, though. On the manufacturing side, AI is set to predict equipment failures before they happen. This predictive maintenance can drastically reduce downtime, saving companies millions in repairs and lost productivity. With AI’s ability to analyze data in real time, it’s possible to spot potential issues before they escalate. This shift from reactive to proactive maintenance could change the way industries handle their operations.
But let’s be real: while AI’s promise is incredible, it’s not without its quirks. And of course, my day wouldn’t be complete without a bit of unexpected surprises. As I made my way through the bustling exhibition floor, one of the first things that caught my eye was a robot dog performing TikTok-style dances. It was a crowd favorite, with people gathered around, phones in hand, capturing the playful movements of this AI-powered canine. You couldn’t help but smile at how seamlessly AI can blend with entertainment—bringing a little fun and light-heartedness to what can often be a very technical conversation.
But the real fun started when I had a chance to interact with a robot that was less about dancing and more about conversation. After exchanging pleasantries with the bot, I innocently asked for some “good, clean fun” upon which the bot advised me to go looking for trouble in NYC in no uncertain terms.. looks like the AI is “hallucinating” again ;) For those who don’t know, AI hallucinations occur when a model generates an answer that’s factually incorrect or completely nonsensical, often because the AI was not properly trained on the right data or was presented with conflicting information. In this case, the founder intentionally advised the robot to answer in this way to inject some humor into the day - and it certainly worked!
During one of the most insightful panels of the day, experts discussed ways to prevent these hallucinations. The consensus was clear: the key to avoiding these bizarre results is instructing the AI with a specific, well-defined knowledge base. If an AI doesn’t know the answer to a question, it should be programmed to admit it rather than make something up.
As I wandered through the event, I was struck by the diversity of the exhibitors and their impressive demonstrations. AI-powered solutions were showcased across a range of industries, from healthcare to cybersecurity, and everything in between. One of the most notable exhibits was a robot that could simulate human-like interactions. It was an interactive experience where attendees could engage with the bot, asking questions and getting responses in real time. And while some of those responses might have been a bit “raw NY” styled, it was clear that AI is making remarkable strides in human interaction.
For anyone who’s ever been skeptical about AI’s ability to connect with people, the summit proved that AI is here to stay—and it’s only going to get better. Whether it’s improving customer service, automating tedious tasks, or enhancing creativity, AI has the potential to elevate every aspect of our lives. But, like any technology, it’s not without its hurdles. We’re still learning how to harness its full potential and avoid the occasional misstep, but that’s part of the journey.
By the end of the event, it was evident that the AI Summit New York 2024 is more than just a tech conference—it’s a gathering of minds, all pushing the boundaries of what’s possible with artificial intelligence. And while my own journey was marked by a few AI-induced laughs, the real story here is about how AI is changing the world and reshaping how we think about human robot interactions.
Who knows - maybe next year there will be more bots than humans on stage sharing the future of the technology!
About the Author
Ben Yurcisin - ParlayMe Tech Reporter -
I am a serial entrepreneur with a background in engineering and a passion for creating community through fun and value-packed events. As founder of BeYu Labs - a web3 startup focused on empowering web3 entrepreneurship through connections and events - I spend my free time playing guitar, skateboarding, traveling and researching.