Half of Belgians distrust technology at events over privacy concerns: Survey

Nearly half of Belgians are skeptical about the use of technology at events, mainly due to concerns over privacy and data sharing, according to a survey by the Event Confederation, cited by Belga news agency on Wednesday.

The survey, conducted among 1,000 Belgians, found that only half of respondents believe digital applications make events more efficient and better organized, the umbrella organization for Belgium's events sector said.

Despite significant investments in digitalization by the events industry in recent years, many attendees remain reluctant to use technologies such as QR codes for ordering food and drinks or event-specific mobile applications for practical information.

Three-quarters of respondents said they prefer "simple events without too much technology," while one-quarter said technology improves the event experience more than personal contact.

Privacy is another major concern.

More than half of those surveyed said they are worried about their privacy and want to be cautious about sharing personal data at events.

Artificial intelligence is also viewed with skepticism.

About 70% of respondents in Flanders and Wallonia regions said they are wary of AI technologies, compared with 55% among respondents in Brussels.