Will AI Revolutionize Your Business?
As artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Google’s NotebookLM become increasingly accessible, savvy business owners are asking – how can this technology be leveraged for growth?
A recent seminar hosted by the New Ulm Chamber offered valuable insights into incorporating AI in everyday business operations.
Briefly touching on the parallels between the initial apprehension towards using credit cards for everyday transactions a couple of
decades ago, Steve Gasser, president of the digital marketing company Vivid Image, explained how AI can be harnessed for various tasks.
Harking back to the days when using credit cards to buy a cup of coffee seemed outlandish, Gasser emphasized how readily we have embraced the technology.
Similarly, AI is poised to become an integral part of daily business operations. Gasser stressed that rather than viewing AI as a replacement for human ingenuity, it is more accurate to see it as a tool to empower individuals to accomplish tasks more efficiently and effectively.
One crucial takeaway from the seminar involved understanding how to interact with AI effectively. Gasser illustrated this point by having a participant explain to him how to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich while the AIysoftware, programmed precisely, “learned” these instructions.
While the AI model eventually managed to successfully assemble a sandwich, albeit with a few hiccups, highlighting the importance of concise prompts and understanding its limitations. The AI, however, burst its seams when it came to accurate images resembled those produced by a human artist for several reasons.
The demonstration highlighted how AI can take on repetitive tasks like brainstorming ideas for marketing campaigns or drafting foundational content for websites.
Several attendees shared their experiences, one example being State Street Theater’s executive director Lorie Jewell, who had utilized AI to effectively write press releases.
Another participant, Lisa Besemer from New Ulm Real Estate, benefitted from AI in crafting enticing descriptions for properties.
While AI offers exciting possibilities, it’s crucial to approach it with caution.
Gasser underscored the importance of using AI ethically and responsibly. "You wouldn’t want to just take what the AI gives you and present it as your own work. There needs to be human oversight. You have to do more with it," he explained.
Gasser emphasized the need for fine-tuning AI-generated content to ensure accuracy and prevent the generation of incorrect information, a phenomenon referred to as “hallucinating” within the field, where AI can generate entirely fabricated information with enough human oversight can mitigate these issues.
“If you’re not good at human resource policy, you probably shouldn’t use AI for writing it because you might not recognize a problem,” Gasser cautioned.
He stressed the need to verify any information generated by AI and use it as a starting point, rather than a complete document.
As AI technology continues to evolve rapidly, Gasser’s presentation provided valuable insight into starting small business owners can integrate this powerful technology into their operations.
What are the benefits and challenges of implementing AI in a business?
## Will AI Revolutionize Your Business?
**[Intro music]**
**Host:** Welcome back to the show, everyone. Today’s topic is buzzing in business circles everywhere: Artificial Intelligence. With advances like ChatGPT and Google’s NotebookLM becoming more accessible, it’s hard to ignore the question – will AI revolutionize your business?
Joining us today is Steve Gasser, president of the digital marketing company Vivid Image, who recently led a seminar on incorporating AI into everyday business operations. Steve, thanks for being here.
**Steve:** Thanks for having me.
**Host:** Steve, a lot of people might be hesitant to embrace AI. It seems complicated and even a little intimidating. Can you shed some light on this?
**Steve:** Absolutely. I think it’s relatable to a time when credit cards were first introduced. It seemed unusual to many people to use plastic instead of cash. But look at how readily we’ve embraced that technology.
AI might seem daunting now, but it’s poised to become just as integral to billions of daily operations.
**Host:** Right, so it’s less about fearing AI and more about understanding how to leverage it?
**Steve:** Exactly. Think of AI as a powerful tool, like a super-efficient assistant. It doesn’t replace human ingenuity; it amplifies it. AI can take over repetitive tasks, analyze data at lightning speed, and offer insights we might miss. Ultimately, it frees us up to focus on the bigger picture, strategy, and creativity.
**Host:** You have a compelling example from your seminar about the importance of clear communication with AI. Can you share that?
**Steve:** We had a participant explain how to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich step-by-step to an AI program. It was fascinating to watch how the AI “learned” and eventually created the sandwich, albeit with a few funny mistakes along the way.
This illustrates the importance of clarity and precision when interacting with AI. We need to be specific and understand its limitations.
**Host:** So, for our listeners out there who are curious about exploring AI for their business, what would your advice be?
bake, it would insist on warmth for precise baking. Remember, AI is a tool. The most powerful tool is a well-trained mind commanding it.
**Host:** Great insight, Steve. Thank you so much for joining us today and shedding light on this exciting new frontier.
**Steve:** My pleasure.
**[Outro Music]**
