Area business owners turned out to discuss Artificial Intelligence at a Sept. 24 event at the Maryville Public Library.
Megan Wallace, owner of MegaByte Digital Company, led the workshop, and encouraged entrepreneurs to use AI platforms to increase productivity and automate trivial tasks. She said time savings from AI software could allow business owners to focus on bigger picture priorities.
Wallace did have warnings about the usage of AI, saying it should not replace human workers.
“As long as there are good guard rails in place you are fine,” Wallace said. “Learn how to prompt the right way: be clear, use good cues, and know how to work with the specific [platform] you’re using.
“Don't rely on it for your whole business plan or anything legal,” Wallace warned. “Use your best judgement and use it as an assistant more than anything.”
Wallace spoke as part of the monthly ‘BOSS' coffee series, which the Maryville Chamber of Commerce hosts to help support small business and business growth.
Josh McKim, the Executive Director of the Nodaway County Economic Development said that these meetings are not only about information sharing.
“One component is learning,” he said, “but there's also a component of networking and getting connected to each other. That's as beneficial as anything: getting that interaction with other business owners because…building that network can be helpful.”
He said interested individuals could attend the sessions on the fourth Wednesday of each month.
