It seems that light stepping is the trend
It may be time for AI, but the clocks have not yet been hit in this part of the state. At least, it's not yet. The question now, at least in Delta, Mississippi, is that you are not using artificial intake for your business, but why aren't you?
Ted Connell, partner of Merkel and Cook, a Clarksdale-based law firm, is a prime example of he.
“We use AI for elementary research, help prepare deposits, and prepare form letters, but attorneys are paying attention to brief research because they have problems making sure AI is correct so they don't check the research to make sure AI is correct,” Connell says. “In other words, I'll quote a case where AI doesn't exist. We're still learning how we can use all of our AI, but like most technologies, I think it's very useful as it progresses.”
Meanwhile, Sean Johnson, tourism director at the Cleveland Bolivar County Chamber of Commerce, says he actually used tools through AI to feed Delta's business problems. The results are below. (With his guidance and editing, of course).
“I think there are a few ways that most companies need to look at AI. Generally, strategically and tactically,” says Johnson (or AI).
“In general, AI is an event that changes civilization. It's before and after AI. For now, we're in between. But within 20 years, the world will be another place for what we now know as AI, and for what AI allows for complementary technology.
“So, strategically, we need to understand that earthquake changes are coming. We can't predict what it will look like (especially in sectors where we don't work), but we need to predict changes that will affect the industry. In tourism, marketing in general relies on search engine marketing over the past few decades,” says Johnson.
“But now, search engines are becoming obsolete with people who go straight to AI for answers. So, making sure that AI has the answers that we like. We are pushing to AI marketing (AIO) rather than search engine marketing (SEO). It's a new technology, so we're learning best practices, but the results so far are promising,” says Johnson.
Johnson is an avid user and an advocate for AI. For personal use and chamber work.
“In terms of the tactical view of AI, we use it for everything from copywriting to image creation to drilling into data,” he says. “An analysis of statewide tourism consumption data suggests it may have taken a day or two in the past, and now it takes less than two minutes.
Greater Greenville Development Foundation, Inc. Daniel Boggs, CEO of AI, said:
“It may still sound a bit futuristic, but we have already witnessed this early example. “The message of overreach was clear. Rather than fearing AI, we should accept it not as a replacement for human workers, but as an enhancer of human possibilities, as a collaborator working with us.
“Many Mississippi businesses, especially in rural areas like the Delta, are not adopting AI due to lack of awareness, perceived complexity, or access to affordable training,” said Dr. Kollin R. Napier, director of the Mississippi Artificial Intelligence Network (MAIN). “It's beginning to change. Based at Mississippi Gulf Community College, Maine is partnering with all public universities in the state, including Delta, Mississippi Delta CC and Corehoma CC, to expand access to AI education. Companies use AI to save time, reduce costs and make smarter decisions in areas such as retail, agriculture, banking, logistics.”
Do other states and regions use AI in the business world? “Yes, and at a rapid pace,” replies Napier. “States such as Texas, North Carolina and Georgia are integrating AI across sectors, including healthcare, logistics and manufacturing into their daily operations. But Mississippi is not behind, driven by the Delta.”
AI doesn't have to mean unemployment, Napier said. “In most cases, that means a change in employment. Just as the introduction of tractors did not eliminate agriculture, AI changes the way we work, not the way we work. AI is a tool, not a replacement for people. The main focus is on training and focusing on ripe Mississippi people.
When asked what he found to be the biggest or most common misconceptions and concerns about using AI, Napier said, “AI is intended only for large tech companies or people with advanced degrees. AI is a part of the tools we use every day, such as Excel, email filters, smartphones, Excel atmosphere, Excel, and the taste of email. They exist to counter our partnerships.
“AI is becoming as important as it was 25 years ago. Companies don't need to use it legally, but they don't actually have a hard time staying competitive. We're seeing this shift happen in real time. Microsoft 365 has introduced AI assistants to integrated into Word, Excel and Outlook. Customers,” says Napier.
“This is especially important in Delta where many people rely on social media to reach their communities. These tools are part of the business workflow whether people are aware of it or not. The good news is that as Delta's Mine and our partners are currently preparing their businesses and workers, we can use these tools with confidence and take advantage of what AI has to offer.”
AI provides small business tools to save time, reduce costs and make smarter decisions, Napia argues. “For example, Delta, a shop in Indiana, can use AI to track inventory and automatically sort products. Greenwood restaurants can use AI to reply to Facebook messages, make reservations, or send daily specials.
“For small teams, AI behaves like a set of extra hands. They can answer common customer questions, organize their schedules, and send reminders. The main thing is to train local students and workers. So businesses don't need to look outside the delta for support.
And when it comes to using AI in AG business, Napier says it's here now.
“Agriculture is one of the sectors most prepared for AI, and Delta is one of the regions already prepared to benefit. Farmers use AI to monitor soil health, detect pests via drone images, optimize irrigation, and predict yields. AI in agriculture is not only adopted by Delta, but is incorporated into the way we train, work and grow. It is not just the conversation, but also the leadership role in this AI revolution as it continues.”
And Samia Chawla, president of Cleveland-based Chawla Point LLC, notes that “most people already use AI anyway, without explicit knowledge of doing so.”
Chawla says his hotel group is currently not using A1 widely, but thinks it is inevitable that all businesses will have to take it one day, except for guest satisfaction communication and research.
“Yes, it may be five years from now, or maybe sooner, but I think AI use is common and perhaps even a must in the future,” he says.
