“People don’t want perfect; they want real.” – Modern audience engagement trend

Excellent public speakers keep up with the latest audience trends.

Below are three audience trends for which public speakers should take advantage:

Integration of Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technology

You will increasingly need to integrate AI tools, virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and real-time translation technologies into your presentations.

Audiences will expect more immersive and interactive experiences.

Use AI to generate content or visuals (e.g., slide co-creation, real-time audience sentiment analysis).

AI tools like Beautiful.ai, Canva’s Magic Design, or PowerPoint Copilot can help speakers create professional, on-brand slides rapidly. Using these AI tools saves time by auto-generating layouts, visuals, and text suggestions.

They also ensure visual consistency and appeal, eliminating the need for a graphic designer and allowing for customization based on audience profile, topic tone, and structure.

AI-powered platforms (e.g., Yoodli, Mentimeter with AI plugins, or virtual conference tools) can analyze live audience reactions via audio, video, or chat data. You can receive real-time feedback on tone, pace, and audience engagement. This allows you to adjust your presentation “on the fly.”

These AI platforms adjust delivery dynamically (e.g., slow down, clarify a point, or energize tone). These data-driven insights can improve future presentations.

Tools like DALL·E, Midjourney, or AI-driven infographic generators create custom images, charts, or metaphors to illustrate complex ideas.

These AI tools make abstract or technical concepts more accessible and engaging, enhance memory retention through unique visuals, and reduce reliance on stock imagery or bland graphics.

Finally, they enhance the personalization of your content delivery based on audience analytics.

So, one trend that you should use to your advantage is the integration of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies.

Another is the increasing demand for inclusivity and cultural sensitivity.

Increasing Demand for Inclusivity and Cultural Sensitivity

You will need to adapt to more diverse, multicultural audiences.

This includes being more aware of language, cultural norms, and accessibility (e.g., captions, sign language, inclusive language).

Language sensitivity ensures your message is respectful and inclusive, avoiding idioms or jargon that may alienate non-native speakers.

Cultural awareness helps avoid unintentional offense, showing that you value and respect different backgrounds.

Clear, simple language helps those with varying levels of education, neurodiversity, or limited language proficiency understand your message.

Make content easy for people with disabilities. An example is the use of descriptive language and visual alternatives. They benefit both neurodivergent listeners and those with hearing impairments.

You have a duty of care to make your message inclusive and accessible.

Being culturally and linguistically inclusive reflects emotional intelligence and professionalism.

Three things to think about are:

• Avoid bias in language and visuals.

• Address social and cultural issues thoughtfully.

• Create content that is accessible to people with disabilities and those who have language barriers.

So, two trends you should use to your advantage are the integration of artificial intelligence and emerging technology and the increasing demand for inclusivity and cultural sensitivity.

A final trend for which you should take advantage is audience expectations toward authenticity and interactivity.

Shifting Audience Expectations Toward Authenticity and Interactivity

Audiences, especially younger generations, increasingly value authenticity, vulnerability, and interactive engagement over polished, scripted performances. You must be relatable and responsive.

Audiences today value realness over-rehearsed polish. They connect more with speakers who share personal stories, admit mistakes, and speak unscripted. Share a relevant personal failure and what you learned from it—this humanizes you and builds trust.

Use live interaction and encourage audience input. Passive listening is being replaced by co-creation. Audiences want to feel involved and heard.

Incorporating live polls, Q&A sessions, or asking the audience to discuss a question in pairs and then share their insights.

Tools like Slido, Mentimeter, or simply asking “Show of hands…” increase interactivity with minimal tech.

Adapt in real-time based on audience feedback. Flexibility shows you’re responsive and present, not just delivering a fixed script.

Observe body language, adjust pacing, or directly ask, “Would you like more detail or a quick example?”

Three things to think about are:

• Move from “sage on the stage” to “guide on the side.”

• Encourage Q&A, polls, and live feedback during presentations to engage your audience.

• Prioritize real stories over corporate jargon or data dumps.

So, three trends you should use to your advantage are (1) integration of artificial intelligence and emerging technology, (2) increasing demand for inclusivity and cultural sensitivity, and (3) shifting audience expectations toward authenticity and interactivity.

Call to Action

• Include more immersive and interactive experiences into your presentations.

• In your presentations, be more aware of language, cultural norms, and accessibility (e.g., captions, sign language, inclusive language).

• Share your personal stories with your audience.

References

• Gallo, C. (2022). The Bezos Blueprint: Communication Secrets of the World’s Greatest Salesman. St. Martin’s Press.Discusses how tech-savvy leaders are using evolving platforms for storytelling.

• PwC (2020). The Future of Work: A Journey to 2022.Highlights how emerging tech will transform communication and collaboration.

• Hofstede, G. (2010). Cultures and Organizations: Software of the Mind. McGraw-Hill. Provides a framework for understanding cultural dimensions and communication.

• Duarte, N. (2019). DataStory: Explain Data and Inspire Action Through Story. Wiley. Emphasizes audience awareness and message adaptation.

• Brown, B. (2012). Daring Greatly. Penguin Random House.Explores how vulnerability builds trust and connection—key for future communicators.

• Harvard Business Review (2020). The Feedback Fallacy.Emphasizes the need for meaningful, two-way communication.

Being a confident, engaging, and effective technical speaker is a vital personal and professional asset. With more than 40 years of engineering experience and more than 30 years of award-winning public speaking experience, I can help you reduce your presentation preparatory time by 50%, overcome your fear of public speaking and be completely at ease, deliver your presentations effectively, develop your personal presence with your audience; and apply an innovative way to handle audience questions deftly.

Working closely with you, I provide a customized protocol employing the critical skills and tools you need to create, practice, and deliver excellent technical speeches and presentations. Let’s connect and explore how I can help you become the exceptional speaker you were meant to be. Please reach out to me at frank@speakleadandsucceed.com or 703-509-4424 for a complimentary consultation. Schedule a meeting with me at calendly.com/frankdibartolomeospeaks