GILBERT, Ariz. — Gilbert and East Valley executives are taking a practical look at how artificial intelligence can help them stay competitive.
The Gilbert Chamber of Commerce Foundation is hosting AI training sessions at The CATALYST, supported in part by a grant from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation.
Elaine Kessler, director of foundations and community impact for the Gilbert Chamber of Commerce, said the program is designed to introduce business owners to the basics of technology.
“The Gilbert Chamber Foundation received a grant from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation to provide Business Fundamentals Training, an introduction to artificial intelligence for executives,” Kessler said.
For some business owners, AI is already becoming another tool to help run their companies. Laura Newcomb said her business incorporates technology across multiple areas.
“We’ve automated our accounts receivable…all powered by AI. We use AI a lot in our marketing,” Newcomb said.
Newcombe said AI will not replace employees. In return, teams spend less time on repetitive tasks and more time focusing on the business.
“Everyone thinks it’s going to replace jobs, but it’s not. It’s actually just enhancing people’s jobs and making them more efficient at the moment,” Newcombe said.
Some people came to CATALYST looking for ways to save time and better serve their customers. Kelly Gideon, a senior care consultant and employment specialist, said the goal is efficiency.
“We don’t want to work harder, we want to work smarter…To be more efficient, we need to make our jobs a little easier,” Gideon said.
The chamber said its goal is to provide business owners with the knowledge to decide whether AI is right for their business.
AI consultant Stuart Preston, AI solutionist at Cingularis, said business owners don’t need to use every AI tool available, but understanding the technology is becoming increasingly important.
“My competitors are using it. I don’t want to lose out to my competitors… Analyze it and say, ‘Is this something I can use in my business without losing my expertise, my experience, my passion?'” Preston said.
“I always tell people to lead with your heart and finish with your head,” Preston said.
