Not every problem needs AI—and not every AI solution needs to be built from scratch. In this interactive session, you’ll gain clarity on when to leverage AI versus traditional automation, and develop a practical framework for deciding whether to build custom solutions or purchase existing tools.

Through live audience quizzes, real-world case studies, and hands-on exercises, you’ll learn to assess your association’s unique constraints—including budget, technical capacity, data readiness, and strategic priorities—to make confident technology decisions. You’ll see live demonstrations of both custom-built and commercial AI solutions in action, then practice applying a decision matrix to real association use cases.

Whether you’re exploring your first AI project or refining your technology strategy, you’ll leave with a repeatable assessment process that helps you invest wisely and avoid common pitfalls.

Attendees will be able to:

• Distinguish between AI, machine learning, and rules-based automation to identify the right technology approach for specific association challenges
• Apply a structured decision framework that evaluates build-versus-buy options based on your organization’s budget, technical skillset, data strategy, and timeline constraints
• Assess common association use cases through a practical decision matrix, determining which scenarios warrant custom development versus commercial solutions
• Recognize the “art of the possible” through live demonstrations of both custom-built AI applications and enterprise AI platforms designed for association workflows
• Leverage real-world case studies from AWS association customers to understand how peer organizations navigated similar build-or-buy decisions and achieved measurable outcomes

Technical and Business User