AI-powered multilingual translation debuts at RHCS general membership meeting

In a landmark event held from 16th to 20 October 2023, the Reproductive Health Supplies Coalition (RHSC) hosted its General Membership Meeting in Accra, Ghana. RHSC, the world's largest network of reproductive health agencies, boasting nearly 600 member agencies, has been collaborating with the AIM Group since 2015.

The event objectives

The primary goal of this gathering was to unite global leaders and experts in reproductive health supplies, including contraceptives, menstrual supplies, maternal health products, safe abortion supplies, and more. The central theme of the event was "Resilience," symbolized by the drum, which permeated the event's design, from the lanyard layout to a collective drum workshop that marked the opening day of the plenary sessions.

Supporting the local community

Engaging with the local community was a crucial aspect of the event. The social program included six site visits that provided participants with the opportunity to gain insights into Ghanaian healthcare institutions, healthcare centres, and non-governmental organizations involved in reproductive health. In a bid to further connect with the local community, all conference materials, including conference bags, printed materials, and giveaways, were sourced and purchased locally. The conference bag was designed by a talented Ghanaian artist under the age of 35.

Pioneering A.I. tools

One of the standout features of the event was the adoption of an innovative A.I. translation tool for multilingual support. For the first time, participants had access to an A.I.-powered translation service that facilitated seamless communication in more than 30 languages. This service offered both audio and caption options. To access this cutting-edge technology, attendees simply needed to scan a QR code at the beginning of each session using their smartphones, eliminating the need to download an app. They could listen through a pair of headphones, making it a user-friendly solution. This approach simplified translation without the need for traditional translation booths in meeting rooms, significantly expanding the range of supported languages while reducing overall costs.

Satisfying Experience

 The quality of the translation, as reported by participants, was of high calibre, resulting in a satisfying experience. The ability to create glossaries with the terminology of the respective event/session allows the AI-supported system to increase the quality of the translation. Additional technical terms or speaker lists may even be entered during the event to ensure that they are translated correctly. 
The use of AI technology not only enhanced the multilingual experience but also underscored the forward-thinking nature of the RHSC General Membership Meeting.
The integration of artificial intelligence into event planning is an emerging trend, and this event, served as the perfect platform for a successful first use of this pioneering A.I. tool.

Valuable opportunity

“The applications of artificial intelligence, like all other new technologies that have emerged over the years, represent a valuable opportunity for event organizers—an opportunity that AIM Group has consistently approached with timeliness and curiosity. These technologies can offer new solutions, often more efficient, less costly and less complex. Far from being substitutes or diminishing the value of human creativity and the skills of event professionals, they constitute a resource upon which we are focusing our attention to further enhance the capabilities of events in engaging participants and achieving desired outcomes” outlines Patrizia Semprebene Buongiorno, vice president AIM Group International.

Results

In summary, the RHSC General Membership Meeting in Accra, Ghana, served as a testament to the resilience of the reproductive health sector while also showcasing the promising capabilities of AI in event management. After the COVID-related break of several years, this year’s General Membership Meeting was more than ever an opportunity to strengthen networks, find new points of contact, and grow the community.