The Aiken Chamber of Commerce is offering a series of workshops to demystify artificial intelligence (AI).
Jim Tunison, President and CEO of the Chamber, said he wanted to arrange workshops focused on AI to help members realize how the technology can be valuable.
“I just wanted to be able to equip our members with the tools necessary to stay competitive,” he said. “It’s one of those things that, even I was a little leery at first when you started hearing about AI, but then you got playing around with it, and you could see just the benefit. It’s like having your own personal assistant.”
Dr. Carl Henson of MarZeka Consulting will teach all three sessions. His career includes AI, C-suite marketing, sales, and revenue operations. The first workshop on June 10 is “AI Essentials: Hands-On with Everyday AI Tools.”
The first class will be beginner-friendly. It will focus on using tools like ChatGPT for simple tasks like drafting emails and boosting productivity.
Tunison said anyone not learning about AI and how to use it runs the risk of falling behind, particularly small businesses trying to stay competitive. In addition to teaching the value of AI, Tunison said the goal is to dispel concerns about using the technology.
“There’s so much misinformation about it, but there are certain risks being a brand new tool, and that’s why we tried to make the first class very just introductory. This is what it is, this is who creates it. This is how you can utilize it and why you should,” he explained.
Tunison said the workshops expand on each other, so it is better to attend all three sessions. He said it is like AI 101, 102, and 103.
“You have that introductory level, and then in class two, you start to really dig in. You go through the prompting and experiment with the different platforms like ChatGPT and Perplexity,” he said. “Then in the third one, Dr. Henson teaches you how to build your own virtual assistant, basically your AI assistant.”
Tunison said he worked with Henson to learn AI and create his own assistant, and it made him a believer.
“I’ve used this every single day, both for the chamber and for my personal life as well. So, it really comes in handy,” he said.
The second workshop will be June 17, “Next Steps with AI: Simple Tools to Boost Business.” It will teach how to use AI tools to create content, organize information, and streamline daily tasks.
The final session will be on June 20, “Building a Custom GPT: Make AI Work for You.” It will show how to customize AI tools for an individual’s specific needs and use the program to help with marketing and customer support.
The workshops are not for chamber members only. Tunison said they are open to anyone who wishes to attend. They will run from 9 to 10 a.m. in the Chamber office at 121 Richland Avenue, E. The cost to attend is $25 per workshop.
More information and registration at www.aikenchamber.net/eventsandnews/chamberevents
