Tim Blannyan is essentially a entrepreneurial energy powerhouse, Artificial Intelligence told a packed room at the Logansport Cass County Chamber of Commerce on Thursday afternoon.
Chamber of Commerce members met for lunch and learned about business with Branyan, a workshop on AI and business and guest speaker at the Indiana Small Business Development Center. As the hour-long discussion approached the end, he handed over to the AI for a simple question and answer session.
“Please tell us a little about Logansport's economic history and what you see as economic trends over the next five to ten years.” 611 North St., owner of Science Project Brewing Company.
“Absolutely. Let me jump into it,” the AI replied immediately. “So, a bit about Logansport's economic history. It's traditionally a manufacturing and agriculture hub. Over the years, there's been a strong industrial base with local businesses rooted in things like food processing and small-scale manufacturing. There's been a shift towards diversification into more technological and service-oriented sectors. Also, perhaps some remote work and tech companies will pop up.
“Amazing,” someone whispered to the modest audience.
Branyan said his goal is to reduce audience hesitation about using AI and give it a foundation where you can start using it in your daily life.
He said that artificial intelligence first began in 1956 and used it without anyone realizing it. Because it exists on systems like mobile phones (Siri on iPhone), Netflix, YouTube, and so no one has used it.
“It took Quantum Leap two years last year,” he said. “This is one of the most disruptive and incredible technologies you might see in your life and I think it's very important to start learning how to use it and accept it because it's not going anywhere.”
Most of the presentation included a tour of ChatGpt and what it could do. ChatGpt is one of several AIs that can be used. Using the basic search window, users can enter a question using parameters, or instruct the AI to create something (images, reports, etc.), and the AI will begin to answer the question and collect the information they need to complete the task.
“I want you to think of this as the most powerful co-pilot and assistant you've ever had,” Brannyan said. “The ability to serve you is conditional on your ability to ask (questions) in many contexts.”
Branyan said that AI is so advanced that you can upload photos to study them. For example, he recently purchased a home that he plans to repair and sell. He uploaded the photos and asked for a list of the materials needed to do the repairs. The AI looked into each photo to help him plan the renovation.
When purchasing a house, he used ChatGpt to translate both English and Spanish.
Some of the things AI can help businesses include discovering and writing grants, strategy for business plans, generating campaign ideas, and creating social media content such as photos and videos.
AI included can be useful for everyday business tasks such as drafting emails and brainstorming ideas, providing customer support, and analyzing data.
Bill Cuppy, president of the Logansport-Cass County Chamber of Commerce and Cass Logansport Economic Development Organization, said that he already uses AI to support many tasks, including reviewing Indiana codes and regulations, writing ordinances, and writing city resolutions. However, he recommends checking the results.
“I'll take it and say I'll accept it,” he said. “Use it to strengthen your business.”
Karli Armstrong, United Way's Director of Impact and Marketing at Cass County, said he used a bit of AI to create policy and planning templates and generate ideas.
“It's always cool to see how others use the tools and implement them as they do,” she said.
Emily Crabunde said she would come to lunch and learn because she knew nothing about AI, despite her family using it to talk about it.
Crabunde and her family run Crabunde's meat and produce and operate a booth at Logansport Farmers Market.
“It made my wheels spin,” she said. “Now I know what it is, how it works, and what tools it is there, so it makes me think that it could actually be useful if I'm stopping and thinking.”
One area where AI is not accepted is in art. AI is about teaching yourself art, writing and music using existing examples. So I teach myself by scanning the work of uploaded artists.
Local photographer Lindsay Miller attended a workshop and said she was on the fence about AI in the arts while using AI in her personal life and business.
“I don't like people using AI to generate images and hand them over as real, but I think it's a great way to enhance or amplify the power of images,” she said.
The example she gave was to remove the background from a photo using Photoshop.
“Essentially, discussion is people who benefit someone else's hard work when using AI's content recognition capabilities,” she said. “This is my perspective. I'm trying to pass it on as a work, unless I try to create an entire image with AI, a sample of AI and a portion of my work, a portion of my work to help others improve the work. Yes.
In general, she saw AI as a potential tool for artists to create. And it didn't have to be negative, she said.
