Understanding the difference between equity and equality in meeting planning, by ChatGPT

 

 

 

The role AI and ChatGPT plays in our industry continues to be a hot topic. I engaged ChatGPT to co-create this article to articulate the difference between equity and equality as it relates to meeting planning. Aside from several edits and re-framing the questions on my part, below is an article mostly generated by ChatGPT:

In today's rapidly evolving society, meeting professionals play a pivotal role in fostering inclusive environments that promote diversity and representation. However, achieving true inclusivity requires a nuanced understanding of the concepts of equity and equality. While these terms are often used interchangeably, they have distinct meanings and implications.  To ensure the success of any gatherings where everyone is able to fully participate, it is crucial to understand this distinction and incorporate these principles into the planning process. 

Equality refers to the fair treatment of individuals, ensuring that everyone is given the same opportunities and resources. It promotes uniformity, emphasizing equal access to services, facilities and experiences. However, equality fails to acknowledge the diverse needs and circumstances of individuals, leading to potential disparities. On the other hand, equity recognizes and addresses these disparities by providing resources and support to individuals based on their specific needs and circumstances.  

 

Here are few examples of steps we can take as meeting professionals:

 

Accessibility: To ensure an inclusive community, planners need to consider many accessibility requirements for individuals with different needs.  Some require physical accommodation such as providing wheelchair ramps, accessible seating, sign language interpretation and captioning services. There are other non-physical requirements that impact one’s accessibility, such as the time of gathering.  If your attendees are caregivers in a multi generation household (elder parents and young children), attending evening functions might not be possible.   

 

Diverse Representation: Inclusive meetings celebrate diversity by ensuring representation from various backgrounds, cultures, genders and perspectives. Meeting professionals should proactively seek out speakers and panelists who reflect the diverse community they aim to serve. By amplifying underrepresented voices, meetings can become platforms for dialogue and learning.

 

Customized Engagement: Implementing engagement strategies that allow attendees to contribute in ways that suit their preferences and comfort levels is critical.  Some examples include providing multiple avenues for participation, such as in-person and virtual options, different formats that align with different learning styles, and offering a variety of topics that would speak to attendee’s interest.

 

Bias Awareness: Implicit biases can unintentionally influence decision-making processes, resulting in inequitable treatment. We should actively examine personal and organizational biases and seek to mitigate their impact. By conducting diversity training and engaging in ongoing education on topics such as unconscious bias, we can create an environment that is fair and unbiased for all attendees.

 

While this article provides information that is factually accurate and even touches on examples some readers might find useful, it comes up short in being emotionally engaging because it lacks the personal story. Fighting for equity is a reality that many minorities face every day, and it is personal and its complexity simply cannot be told by AI in a way that is thought provoking.