February 7-8, 2024

Keynote Sessions

Stand on the shoulders of Giants – Best practices for AI implementation from enterprises leading the way
Presented by: Keren Brown, Zoomin

I’ve had the honor of helping a number of pioneering docs teams implement AI capabilities for documentation. Many of them are the first team in their company to get an AI solution up and running. With AI so heavily reliant on content, these companies took the lead to build the critical infrastructure for their entire company’s AI feasibility, and, at times, even strategy. In this nascent world of AI, the learning curve is steep. But through the perseverance and creativity of these teams in tackling challenges, best practices have emerged.

One thing is for sure when it comes to understanding and implementing AI capabilities. The more we can learn from those further along the road than us, the shorter our learning curve will be. That’s why I want to share some of the best practices that we have uncovered. These are real, tangible insights from peers putting in the work and successfully deploying GPT solutions. No theory, but meaty, value-packed insights. Join me in learning from the pros, including:

• • How to get started and the functionality to prioritize
  • The internal buy-in, tools and processes you need to move with speed
  • How to track and communicate the impact of your work and use it to improve the visibility of your team

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Steering GenAI initiatives to Success: the Tech Comms Edge
Presented by: Fabrice Lacroix, Fluid Topics

Beyond the initial hype, how does GenAI actually transform the Technical Communications landscape? After a year of early trials, certain use cases are emerging as true game changers for Content Operations.

At the same time, GenAI presents a unique opportunity for Content Professionals to play a pivotal role in the most innovative projects of the decade. Join us and dive into the most exciting GenAI initiatives, understand the factors behind successes and failures, and learn why content professionals must be at the forefront of GenAI Projects.

Cognition, Communication, and Commerce: A Communication-Based Approach to New Product Development and Usable Design

Presented by: Kirk St.Amant, Louisiana Tech University

The human brain is an amazing data processor; however, it can only engage with a limited amount of data at one time. As a result, the brain often relies on two cognitive mechanisms – prototypes and scripts – to subconsciously manage information and shape communication and usability expectations. By understanding how these mechanisms work, technical communicators can help new products more easily enter the marketplace. Specifically, technical communicators can use two communication-based strategies to effectively address the cognitive that shape how consumers perceive and adopt new products: · Folds – Used to prompt consumers to adopt a new product into an existing process · Swaps – Used to prompt consumers to perform a common process in a new context This presentation will introduce attendees to these strategies. The presenter will also explain how to use these fold and swap strategies to play a more direct role in product design. In so doing, the presenter will provide technical communicators with approaches for engaging more directly in product development and displaying new ways they can contribute value to organizations.

Tech to Tanks

Presented by: Hillel Fuld, Global Speaker, Tech Columnist and Startup Advisor

On October 7, 2023, Israel was thrust into the most difficult and the longest war it has ever known, perhaps the most difficult war the world has ever known. As a result of the threats Israel faces from its neighbors, it was forced to transition form a tech superpower to a military superpower. Hillel, a former tech writer and now, the 7th most influential tech blogger on the Internet, will discuss how Israel’s hi-tech industry plays a critical role both in Israeli society and in its current war effort and how the rally cry of a nation going to war mobilized not only its citizens, but also the hi-tech sector.

Other Scheduled Presentations Include:

• G/Localized Technical Communication: An Approach to Creating Usable Content for Different Country (and Cultural) Contexts
• Project Management Toolbox for Technical Writers
• The Holy Trinity of Technical Writing
• Time Management for Technical Writers
• Why and How Documentation Should Lead to Onboarding
• At the Speed of SaaS: Continuous Content Delivery
• The Troubleshooting Game – Finding the Answer in the Least Number of Steps
• Polish your API Documentation with Swagger and CommonMark Tips & Tricks
• Writing for AI Products: Mediating between Man and Machine
• Productive Criticism for Technical Communicators
• ISO 17100 translation standard & Design (technical documents) for localization

• And many more presentations still on the way…

Stay tuned – we’re so excited to present you the program for MEGAComm 2024 – our 18th annual conference!