interpretivetraining.com

AI in Interpretation – 3-hour Seminar/Workshop for Guides, Interpreters and Trainers – Monday, March 30, 2026, 12-3 PM Hawaii time (3-6 PM PST, 4-7 PM MST, 5-8 PM CST, 6-9 PM EST) – $40

Explore how artificial intelligence can enhance the planning and delivery of interpretive experiences. Designed for guides, interpreters, and frontline staff, this practical session connects emerging tools with Interpretive Approach values.

What you’ll gain:

• An overview of AI tools useful in interpretive experience planning and creation of logos and other artworks
• Techniques for audience analysis and theme development using AI
• Guidance on ethical, inclusive, and mission-aligned AI use
• Hands-on demos of AI-assisted scripting, image creation, and more

Who should attend:

• Park, Zoo, Nature Center, Botanic Garden, Tour Company and Museum staff
• Volunteer coordinators
• Tour guides and educators
• Interpretive planners and trainers

Stay ahead of the curve—learn how AI can support, not replace, your interpretive voice. Empower your storytelling with tools that deepen connections and enrich experiences. Want to expand your interpretive toolkit with the help of AI—without losing your voice or values?

Join Tim Merriman, Ph.D. and Toby Merriman, MFA, Assistant Director of Center for Virtual Expression at Southern Illinois University for a three-hour Zoom seminar/workshop on how to use AI resources in interpretation – Monday, March 30, 2026, 1-4 PM Hawaii time (3-6 PM PST, 4-7 PM MST, 5-8 PM CST, 6-9 PM EST)

This seminar/workshop is designed for guides, interpreters and trainers who want to blend technology with meaning-making—and who believe that AI can be a partner in inspiring care. NOTE: You do not need ChatGPT 4.0 to take the seminar but to have your own specialized GPT Assistant later you will need ChatGPT 4.0 Plus which costs $20/month. But free versions of ChatGPT still do most everything you will need to do to use AI powerfully to create themes, objectives, questions, talking points and more.

Bring your curiosity and leave with a new voice for your mission.

Questions: timfmerriman@gmail.com or 808-854-3555. If buying for more than one participant, send email addresses of them to Tim.

RECENT COMMENTS BY PARTICIPANTS:

This class gave me a better overall understanding of what is happening in AI now. This helps me as a professional understand how to use it and how to help my clients. The discussions on using AI as a tool for interpretation were helpful and affirming.  Ruth Bielobocky, Consultant, US, 2026

____________________________________________________________________________________

This seminar opened up the AI realm use in Interpretation for me while bringing a hands-on experience. I gained a comfort level that I feel is not dangerous since the pros, cons, and pitfalls were also discussed. Thank you, Tim and Toby for opening this door up for me. Philip Majewski, Denali NPS Interpreter, 2026

__________________________________________________________________________________

Really enjoyed it, great having so many perspectives in the room, and at different points in their careers. There was a great discussion in the breakout room, and I loved the weird and wonderful results we generated in AI by accident, reminding us of how “inhuman” it can be.

Kylie Christian, Consultant, Australia, 2026

_______________________________________________________________________________

AI training was an eye-opener into the easy access to a huge world of information and technique available to help interpretation become more relevant, engaging and inspirational.

Lys Burden, Community Guide, Port Townsend, WA 2026

_______________________________________________________________________________

 I left the workshop with clearer insights into the variety of AI platforms and ideas for how to use the new tools in ways I hadn’t considered to assist my work as a self-employed interpretive designer and planner. I’m already employing what I learned. –

Lauren Brown, LVBrown Studio 2026