On June 18th, IEAI Associate Research Director Dr. Auxane Boch was an invited speaker at the IFES World Summit 2026. The International Federation of Exhibition and Event Services (IFES) connects global exhibition and events professionals through a trust-based network designed to inspire collaboration, drive innovation, and enable sustainable growth. The IFES World Summit 2026 was held under the theme “Navigating Change, Shaping What’s Next”, creating space for the exhibition and event services community to look closely at the forces shaping the industry, from technology, AI and market development to experiential expectations, future talent, outreach, creativity and collaboration.
Dr. Boch presented on “The Friendship Algorithm: Will AI Replace My Friends?”. From chatbots to social robots, her session looked past the noise around AI and into something much more human: how technology is changing the way we relate, belong and build trust.
