a database storing conference paradigm defining rule sets including rules that can be used to characterize conference sessions within a conference space as different conference paradigm types, the database also storing at least first and second action sequences associated with first and second conference paradigm types, respectively, wherein the first action sequence includes enabling content sharing by a first subset of conferees in the conference space and the second action sequence includes enabling content sharing by a second subset of conferees in the conference space wherein the second subset of conferees is different than the first subset of conferees;

at least a first sensor device for sensing characteristics of an ongoing conference session within a conference space;

a processor programmed to perform the steps of:

(i) receiving the sensed characteristics from the at least a first sensor device;

(ii) comparing the received characteristics to the paradigm defining rule sets to identify the conference paradigm type occurring in the conference space;

(iii) upon determining that the first conference paradigm type is occurring in the conference space, automatically performing the first action sequence;

(iv) upon determining that the second conference paradigm type is occurring in the conference space, automatically performing the second action sequence; and

(v) repeating steps (i) through (iv) to automatically change action sequences as paradigm type changes during the ongoing conference session.