- Date published
ChatGPT, Gemini, Alexa – whatever you use in place of the typical search engine – it’s becoming the new norm. 71 percent of small business already plan on adopting the latest technology, but how can we be sure what they tell us is true?
The simple answer: Use them wisely.
Business consultant Lance Coffman was recently part of Google’s AIU initial cohort and he’s excited to show small business clients all the possibilities AI brings.
What would you tell those who are hesitant about AI?
“First, I’d ask why they are hesitant,” Lance says.
It’s okay to feel unsure about something new. But to grow, you have to start somewhere. And as AI gets better, so can your business.
“Most of the time, [people are hesitant] because we hear of these over-the-top stories about AI hallucinations.” This is basically where AI makes up false information.
Fortunately for us, we have the ability to verify this information. Remember that different AI models talk in different ways, so it’s important to do your own research.
A simple way to use AI in your business is to list your goals, identify tactics and figure out which parts you can automate. Once you know what problems you’re trying to solve, you can start thinking about how AI can help.
Don’t jump into automating everything right away. It’s important to understand how AI works first. Start by automating simple tasks and gradually add more as you get comfortable with it.
Schedule a meeting with Lance to see how AI can best support your business processes.
What about protecting my privacy?
Just like you wouldn’t post your address or personal information on social media, don’t post it to AI.
“If you are using ChatGPT’s free version or any of the open-source models like Claude or Gemini…all of your information is used for training.”
You can pay for closed- source AI to keep your information secure, just like any other online post or file.
Want to hear from Lance on even more important business topics? Get his take on crafting the perfect marketing message for your business.
