Reimagining Knowledge Access: How AI is Transforming Associations
In this episode of The Association Insights Podcast, we sit down with Rob Barnes, CAE, AAiP, CEO and co-founder of Betty—a groundbreaking AI knowledge assistant built specifically for associations.
With three decades of association leadership across three countries, Rob brings a global lens and deep passion for community innovation. He shares how Betty is helping associations safeguard institutional wisdom, deliver member value in real time, and unlock strategic insights through what he calls the Association Knowledge Cycle.
From preserving the expertise of retiring volunteers and staffers to enabling multilingual member support and accelerating certification design, Rob walks us through real-world use cases that show how AI—when deployed thoughtfully—can help associations work smarter, serve better, and build trust in new ways.
🎧 Whether you’re just starting to explore AI or already experimenting, this conversation is packed with eye-opening ideas and tangible takeaways.
Key Highlights:
From Vicious to Virtuous: How the Association Knowledge Cycle helps solve one of the most persistent challenges—getting the right knowledge to the right person at the right time.
AI with Boundaries: Why ethical guardrails, trust, and human oversight are critical—and how Betty is built with these values at the core.
Member Insights in Real Time: How organizations like the International Society of Automation (ISA) are using Betty to uncover surprising trends and improve content strategy.
The Anita Example: Why the American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT)—an A100 Comm Impact Award winner—is integrating AI into both member engagement and certification development.
Productivity without Sacrificing Humanity: How Betty empowers member services teams, protects institutional knowledge, and lets staff focus on what humans do best.
What’s Next for AI in Associations: Rob shares what’s on the horizon—from peer-to-peer matchmaking to deeper advocacy alignment and engagement.
🎧 Tune in now for a smart, energizing conversation that will change how you think about AI and your association’s future.
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Coming Soon: In May, we’re turning the spotlight on Gen Z in associations—exploring what it takes to recruit, retain, and engage this rising generation of professionals. From digital fluency to values-based connection, we’ll feature leaders and case studies making it work. This special series is made possible by our partners at Highland. Don’t miss it!
