APPLETON (WLUK) — Artificial intelligence has had a big impact on Fox Cities business over the past year.
The Fox Cities Chamber asked businesses how they are leveraging AI in its latest Business Outlook Survey. They found that nearly 40% of companies are experimenting with AI, and 22% have already implemented some form of AI.
“We think it’s positive that our companies are starting to consider responsible and ethical AI implementation to improve their businesses,” said Laura Wiegert, executive vice president.
The use of AI could run the gamut from photos generated on social media to new in-store systems. Wiegert said small businesses are dipping their toes into generative AI with ChatGPT.
“Helping people write and draft articles, create graphics, etc. can be very efficient for small businesses,” she explained. “Meanwhile, our larger enterprises and manufacturing businesses are using it on a more integrated basis, such as workflow automation.”
Some companies are not very welcoming to new technology.
Erading Winds is a record store with roots in Oshkosh and Appleton. Owner Adam Bartlett says the growth in AI hasn’t benefited AI jobs.
“When was the last time someone downloaded an app and thought, ‘Oh, wow, this update sucks. This is awesome, this is cool. Now I like this even more.'” Never, because it’s written by AI and it’s garbage,” Bartlett told FOX 11. “The same thing happens with business programs and business applications. POS systems get worse every time a POS system is updated, every month. It’s a decline.”
Erading Winds is one store that isn’t interested in using AI. February 24, 2026. (WLUK/Lauren Pieczynski)
Bartlett said that front-facing generative AI is the worst implementation and is detrimental to artists’ work. However, he added that background systems could be actively used.
“That’s what AI should be used for,” he says. “It’s OK because it takes boring, menial tasks out of our hands, things we never need to see.”
Wiegert said AI is a new frontier for businesses and executives need to be careful when using it.
“We encourage companies not to just jump on AI and say, ‘Now we’re using it!’ but just create a roadmap and strategy to help them adopt it responsibly and leverage it well,” she said.
For many companies in the Valley, it looks like AI is here to stay.
