AI For Your Small Business

Delivered in person over three 3-hour sessions at the Sandbox Centre in Barrie, this interactive and highly accessible program helps small business owners (1 - 10 employees) explore the fundamentals of artificial intelligence (AI) and its possible applications to specific processes within their businesses. Participants will examine processes within their organization to identify opportunities where AI can support their business objectives and will assess the potential benefits, risks, and suitability of AI solutions. By the end of the course, learners will be better equipped to ask insightful questions about AI technologies, evaluate AI opportunities, and make informed decisions about AI adoption. Session 1: Thursday September 24 ⎸ 9am - noon In this kick-off session, participants examine their businesses processes using the SIPOC framework (Suppliers, Inputs, Process, Outputs, and Customers) to identify specific areas they would like to optimize. This business-first approach lays the groundwork to investigate AI tools with focus and intention. Session 2: Thursday October 1 ⎸ 9am - noon The next session reveals how different AI approaches can support specific areas of need identified in session 1. Through interactive exercises, participants will learn different AI uses (generating content, searching/extracting/classifying information, making predictions, identifying anomolies, automating processes), and will identify the uses that best align with their business needs. Session 3: Thursday October 8 ⎸ 9am - noon The final session of the program helps participants evaluate the feasibility and suitability of AI opportunities identified for their businesses in session 2 using the RICE Framework (Reach, Impact, Confidence, and Effort). Participants will leave the program with clarity about AI opportunities that can they can start using, evaluating and refining as part of their business strategy.