More on AI

"But while AI excels at delivering "quick-hit" information, it operates within a box: it aggregates and synthesizes what already exists--an echo chamber. It does not replace the nuanced understanding that comes from shared experience nor does it replicate the trust built through human interaction. That's where in-person events, conferences and peer discussions continue to play an irreplaceable role for engineers."

This is in the middle of an editorial by Amara Rozgus in the March/April, 2026, issue of Plant Engineering. It also says that hallway conversations and between-session discussions can be more valuable than the presentations themselves. Thus, in-person attendance at a conference or seminar is important.