How AI is about revolutionize Kelowna’s small business landscape
Kelowna’s business community is set to benefit from one of the most significant events of recent times—the AI Summit, happening on September 27th at Trinity Church. This full-day seminar will equip local business owners, entrepreneurs, and innovators with the tools and knowledge they need to incorporate artificial intelligence (AI) into their operations. With AI continuing to revolutionize industries worldwide, the summit offers a unique opportunity to stay ahead of the curve and drive success in the Okanagan.
The summit, hosted by NowMedia and Csek Creative promises to be a game-changing event for businesses of all sizes. As Jim Csek enthusiastically explained, AI is “the most transformational thing we’ll see in the next hundred years—it’s bigger than the internet.” And, while many have heard of or tried AI tools like ChatGPT, Csek emphasizes that we’re still in the early stages of AI’s potential. “We’re at the beginning,” he said, “but it’s going to go fast.”
Csek shared how he has already begun integrating AI into daily life and business. From receiving personalized news briefings during his morning commute to using AI-generated images for marketing campaigns, the technology has drastically improved his workflow. “I can have [an image] in two seconds,” Csek noted, highlighting the speed and efficiency AI brings to tasks that used to take hours. “If I don’t like it, I can just ask for it again.” For business owners in Kelowna, this level of automation and adaptability could free up valuable time and resources.
One of the key messages of the summit is how accessible AI has become for businesses. Csek pointed out that AI can be as simple as generating content for social media or automating blog posts. “You can take a picture of your food, upload it to ChatGPT, and say, ‘Write me a blog post for this photo,’” Csek said. “It does it instantaneously, including the emojis.”
While this might seem like a minor benefit, it’s part of a broader AI revolution. Mann shared a vision of AI transforming entire industries, from writing marketing content to automating sales processes. “It’s going to be cheaper, better, faster,” Csek stated. “The time you save can be reinvested into making your business more valuable.”
For restaurant owners, retailers, professionals, and small businesses, AI could soon become the difference between thriving and struggling in an increasingly competitive market. As Csek noted, one local car dealership owner was initially skeptical about attending the summit but became excited once Csek explained how AI could streamline operations and improve customer engagement. “It’s going to be super transformational,” Csek said, adding that AI has the potential to change how we interact with technology daily.
Beyond automation, the summit will dive deep into AI’s capabilities in various sectors. Peter Diamandis, founder of the XPRIZE Foundation and one of the featured speakers, will offer high-level insights into how AI is already reshaping industries like healthcare, finance, and manufacturing. Diamandis’ expertise in the private space revolution is expected to provide a visionary perspective on AI’s future impact, including its potential for exponential growth and disruption.
For small business owners in Kelowna, one of the summit’s most valuable takeaways will be learning how to apply AI tools directly to their operations
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