TED Conferences uncovers AI to boost efficiency by 30%

As TED expanded rapidly across various content formats, it faced difficulties in scaling event operations while preserving the unique quality that defines its experiences. West Monroe started by conducting a comprehensive discovery to identify pain points, mapping out the existing event planning processes and assessing their impact on efficiency. We focused on uncovering areas where resources were stretched thin and quality risks emerged. These insights laid the foundation for tailored recommendations to increase TED's event capacity without compromising the magic that makes each event special.

Over eight weeks, West Monroe delved into TED’s event operations, measuring tools, workflows, and resource utilization across different event types. We worked closely with TED’s leadership to understand the specific requirements for various events, establishing a baseline capacity model to determine how many events could be handled annually with existing resources. Our analysis highlighted key areas for improvement, leading to recommendations for AI-driven solutions to optimize tasks such as speaker management and data-informed planning tools for resource allocation. The resulting strategy balanced short-term enhancements with longer-term transformations aimed at boosting efficiency and collaboration.

West Monroe presented TED with a strategic set of recommendations to boost event capacity and operational efficiency. By introducing AI-driven solutions in processes like speaker management, we projected a potential 50% reduction in task time, creating organizational efficiencies. Our suggestions for streamlining vendor management could also result in a 20% cost reduction. With these improvements, TED could add three to five new events per year, leveraging time saved to gain a competitive advantage and increase customer satisfaction. The roadmap balanced quick wins with longer-term growth strategies, laying the groundwork for sustainable scaling.