Ballina Council’s new economic development team made its public debut at the AI Business Forum, where businesses were warned to protect their data, privacy and intellectual property.
A show of hands at a recent Ballina Business Forum suggested nine in 10 local businesses are using artificial intelligence to improve productivity, but experts are warning business owners to be aware of serious risks.
The event, held in partnership with Ballina Chamber of Commerce, was the first major public forum for Ballina Shire Council’s newly appointed Arana District Destination and Economy Coordinator.
The position was developed after a long discussion among councilors and received strong support from Mayor Sharon Cadwallader and head of Lennox Head Chamber of Commerce, Michelle Bailey.
The first business forum, hosted by the city council’s newly strengthened Economic and Visitor Development team, focused on the growing use of AI in business, exploring both the opportunities and potential risks.
“It’s not your friend, it’s a tool”
Guest speaker Candace DeVille, CEO of AI CoPilot, told the audience that while AI has powerful benefits, business owners should not treat it like a trusted partner.
“The first thing is always privacy and safety,” Deville said.
“It may feel like a friend, but it’s not really a friend. It’s a tool.”
He urged users not to enter financial or personally identifiable information into AI platforms, encouraged businesses to opt for paid versions for better security, and advised users to carefully review their data and privacy settings.
DeVille also encouraged companies to leverage AI to review complex terms of service from platforms like Facebook and Instagram, saying many people are waiving their data rights without realizing it.
Council: New role opens doors for business
Mayor Sharon Cadwallader said the new economic development role aims to support businesses at every stage of investment and innovation.
“We’re excited to have someone dedicated to facilitating inquiries, whether it’s a new business or an expansion,” Cr Cadwallader said.
“We don’t want to be overlooked. We need to open the door to potential business and roll out the red carpet.”
The mayor praised Ms Ward’s work during her time in charge of tourism on the council, describing her as a “proven performer”.
The forum attracted strong interest, with business owners particularly keen to address the issue of protecting commercial data and intellectual property developed through AI platforms.
The mayor said the discussion was well-timed given recent concerns about data breaches and the rapid adoption of AI in many industries.
main photoleft to right: Laura Woolcott and Alana Ward from the council’s newly established destinations and economy team, Mayor of Cadwalader; AI Copilot CEO –Candace Deville and Inbi Davidson of the Northern Rivers Community Gallery hosted the event.
