tech

How small businesses can leverage AI

Tutor Sam Finnegan-Dehn shares how he’s outsourcing basic administrative tasks to a large language model.

How small businesses can leverage AI

TL;DR

  • AI can help small businesses manage tasks like accounting, design, market research, and product development.
  • Notion AI is used by tutor Sam Finnegan-Dehn for administrative tasks, including recording and summarizing client meetings, drafting lesson notes, invoicing, and social media management.
  • AI can assist with goal-setting by generating concrete steps towards long-term objectives.
  • Companies like Grandma's Quilt Shop use tailored AI software to generate inventory descriptions and pricing, significantly reducing listing time.
  • Small businesses should carefully assess the cost and benefits of AI tools, considering potential drawbacks like 'clunky' interfaces and monthly fees.
  • It's important to look before leaping, input data conveniently for AI models, and weigh options before committing to an AI ecosystem.
  • AI should be used to supplement human skills, and humans should remain in charge where accuracy is critical, as AI can hallucinate and make mistakes.
  • AI is not always the best tool; traditional platforms may be safer and more efficient for certain tasks.
  • Using local AI models can mitigate privacy risks associated with online AI models collecting user data.