b'LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTORPVA Annual Convention atAT THE HELMMariTrends 2024 Taking ShapeJOHN GROUNDWATER // EXECUTIVE DIRECTORA s you can imagine there are many moving partstive of this special day, which will be scheduled the last day associated with planning the PVA Annual Con- of the convention, is to draw upon the expertise of PVA vention at MariTrends 2024, Jan. 2730, at themembers, both vessel and associate, U.S. Coast Guard, and Hyatt Regency Portland at The Oregon Convention Cen- other government and industry representatives to address ter in Portland, Ore. Leaders and staff make every efforta wide range of pressing operational and industry issues.to ensure that each convention is better than the last and that it delivers value to all who attend the convention. OverWatchyouremailandsocialmediaasdetailsabout the years, the number and quality of convention seminarsMariTrends 2024 Passenger Vessel Operators Day emerge.have increased dramatically. Individuals from both indus-tryandgovernmentparticipateinthePVAconventionARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE FOR BUSINESS seminars and share their expertise and insights on a wideTO BE FEATURED AT MARITRENDS 2024rangeoftopicsofimportancetoconventionattendees.Discussions about artificial intelligence (AI) have burst onto This information covers the latest technical information,the business scene with numerous articles, videos, and tele-marketing trends, operational breakthroughs, equipmentvision news stories exploring this emerging and seemingly innovations,regulatoryguidance,andmuchmore.Butmysterious technology and asking questions about how it these seminars are more than just one-way presentations,will be used in business and in mainstream life. But what they are interactive gatherings where attendees contribute,exactly is AI? According to Encyclopedia Britannica arti-ask questions, and generally share experiences and knowl- ficial intelligence (AI) is the ability of a digital computer edge. This atmosphere of collaboration has always been aor computer-controlled robot to perform tasks commonly strength of our association and it is a fundamental goal ofassociated with intelligent beings. While this is a rather sim-all PVA meetings, conventions, and educational events.plistic definition, the fact is the potential uses for AI are just beginning to be understood. Scientists and businesspeople Rest assured that we are working conscientiously to planare debating the uses and ethics of employing AI technology an exceptional MariTrends 2024 in January, and we havein a wide range of applications. Will AI replace the need for some new ideas and announcements for enhancements tocertain employees performing customer service tasks? What the program which we believe will add value to your overallare some of the possible applications for AI? The possibili-convention experience. ties for AI are seemingly limitless, but the following are just a few of the ways in which AI can be used in a business setting ANNOUNCING MARITRENDS 2024 and possibly in passenger vessel operations:PASSENGER VESSEL OPERATORS DAYYour feedback has sparked many good ideas over the years Language Translation and NarrationforimprovementstoPVAsconventions.Mostrecently, E-Commerce and Finance FunctionsPVA members have suggested that a full day of program-Marketing Activitiesming focusing solely on technical and operational issues Security Applicationsfacing passenger vessel operators. Weve heard this request Training and Educationloud and clear, and we are calling it the MariTrends 2024 Passenger Vessel Operators Day. It will be a one-room gath- Ourgoalistofeaturenumerouspresentationsat ering that will emphasize sharing ideas and informationMariTrends 2024 about artificial intelligence to assist you that will save operators money, time, and effort. The objec- to evaluate how you might use this exciting technology to Continued on page 497 OCTOBER 2023'