The AI-Powered Chamber: What’s Coming Next with Boyd Stough

In this inaugural written interview for Chamberpad’s newsletter, we dive deep into the transformative world of artificial intelligence and its potential for chambers of commerce. Our guest, Boyd Stough, Founder of Attune AI, challenges traditional models and presents a visionary outlook for chambers seeking to evolve beyond basic automation. According to Boyd, the true value of AI lies not just in boosting productivity through automation, but in providing predictive, strategic insights that could revolutionize how chambers support businesses and communities.

Read on for the full Q&A session where Boyd shares his expertise and vision for the future. You can also watch our on-site interview shot during the World Chambers Federation Europe & Asia Summit last October in Istanbul, where we talked about the untapped power of collective intelligence for chambers.

1. When we talk about the AI applications for chambers, we automatically think of automation and productivity tools. Can we go beyond that?

*“Absolutely, but it will require thinking outside of the box. The focus must shift from incremental improvements to bold, wholesale transformation.

Currently, when people think about AI, the focus is largely on automation, but its potential extends far beyond improving productivity and operational efficiency. While the age of AI is only just beginning, chambers can use tools currently available to analyze complex economic and membership data in order to reveal rich insights that humans routinely miss. For instance, AI systems can evaluate extensive historical data like regional economic indicators and member feedback to market trends to predict emerging opportunities or risks. Instead of just automating routine tasks, chambers equipped with AI become predictive and proactive organizations, essentially serving as early-warning systems and strategic advisors for businesses.

AI can also be used to enrich/enhance member experiences at scale. By continuously learning from individual interactions, AI systems can recommend tailored networking events, training programs, and resources specific to each member's needs. Most excitingly, AI can foster interconnectivity among chambers worldwide. Imagine an interconnected global network where insights and successful strategies from one chamber are instantly accessible to others—forming what I call an ‘association internet.’ Such a network empowers even the smallest of chambers to access data and insights from around the world, transforming them into intelligent, proactive orchestrators of growth and innovation.”*

2. Chambers are traditionally seen as conveners and advocates, since they play a major role in policy advocacy. Could AI help them craft stronger, data-backed policy recommendations? If yes, how?

*“Yes, AI can significantly enhance a chamber’s ability to craft compelling, evidence-based policy recommendations. AI has the ability to quickly analyze enormous datasets including economic reports, industry analyses, public opinion surveys, traditional and social media sentiments to extract critical insights and data points that support informed advocacy positions. What might typically take human analysts weeks can be achieved by AI in minutes, ensuring chambers base their advocacy efforts on timely, comprehensive evidence.

Additionally, AI brings predictive power to policy advocacy. Chambers can use predictive analytics to model the impacts of proposed policies, providing stakeholders with forward-looking insights. For instance, AI might predict how a proposed tax or workforce initiative could affect local employment, enabling chambers to proactively inform policymakers.

In time, AI could facilitate the development of collaborative global advocacy networks, sharing real-time intelligence across regions. Such an interconnected system allows chambers to learn instantly from each other’s experiences, collectively strengthening their voice on the global policy stage. This has been the focus of our work at Attune.”*

3. How can AI open new revenue streams for chambers? Or is it a bit early to tell?

*“AI certainly holds promise for creating new revenue streams, though we are in the early stages of this development. Traditionally, chambers depend on membership dues, events, capital campaigns, and sponsorships for revenue. AI can be leveraged to diversify income through innovative digital services and products. For example, chambers might offer premium, AI-generated market intelligence reports, customized economic forecasts, and personalized dashboards as subscription-based services. These offerings provide members access to high-value insights previously affordable only by larger businesses.

AI-driven platforms can create valuable revenue-generating services like intelligent business directories or matchmaking systems, where members pay for targeted, high-quality business introductions. Online learning and certification programs enhanced by AI can also provide new streams of income.

Already, some forward-thinking chambers have begun piloting such AI-enabled initiatives, including advisory services for local businesses on AI adoption and analytics. As these ideas mature, AI is poised to become a substantial growth catalyst, driving revenue through advanced digital services, ultimately future-proofing chambers by increasingly enhancing their relevance and financial stability.”*

4. What's coming next? AI as a chamber strategist, lead generator to attract new members, connector to engage members, lobbyist?

*“All of the above. AI is poised to evolve from a background tool into an essential frontline asset for chambers globally:

• Strategic Advisor: AI systems can be used to analyze economic and market data continuously, offering real-time strategic recommendations that help chambers quickly pivot and align their programs with emerging economic opportunities.

• Membership Growth Generator: AI could proactively identify and target prospective new members using sophisticated data analysis, crafting personalized outreach and effectively expanding chambers’ membership bases.

• Member Connector and Engagement Coach: AI-driven tools such as virtual assistants and intelligent matchmaking algorithms can facilitate meaningful member-to-member interactions, fostering collaboration and engagement within the chamber community.

• Advocacy and Lobbying Assistant: AI could serve as a real-time policy analyst, monitoring legislative developments and drafting initial advocacy documents based on data-driven insights. This empowers chambers to respond rapidly and strategically to policy issues.

No other institution is better positioned than chambers of commerce to harness the power of artificial intelligence—not just to transform themselves, but to help shape a better world. As powerful as AI is, bolting it onto the old model is like strapping rocket thrusters to a horse-drawn carriage in a ridiculous last-ditch effort to keep pace with automobiles. It's not just misguided—it’s futile. With the rise of commercially viable AI, chambers of commerce now have a rare opportunity to reimagine not only what they do, but what they are. The only question is whether they will collectively exercise the courage required to seize it. The decision before them is urgent: Continue struggling to adapt an outmoded model to a world that’s moved on, or embrace AI boldly and creatively to take command of the future. For everyone’s sake, let’s hope they choose the latter.”*

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Until next time! 👋 

Houssem Touil

Founder, Chamberpad