THE BRONX (PIX11) — The Bronx Chamber of Commerce Foundation launched a new program to help small businesses keep up with artificial intelligence.
For years, Bronx businesses were asking for web designers and websites; now the questions are different.
“Now businesses are asking for social media managers, content managers and asking ‘what is AI?” says Gisselle Galerotti with the Bronx Chamber of Commerce.
She adds that the shift made evident a growing digital divide, especially for small business owners without the money or the staff to keep up.
“We thought that we needed to help our businesses and our borough access education that will grant them the ability to use this new tool, this new technology tool to their advantage.”
That’s why the Bronx Chamber of Commerce Foundation launched the AI advantage program, supported by google.org the nonprofit arm of Google.
The free program accepted more than 120 applications, but only 70 small businesses made the cut. The selected businesses are divided into three cohorts, each complete four weeks of online training.
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One of the participants is Natasha Green, founder of Hidden Gems Archery, who says AI is changing how she runs her business. “Big companies have teams for marketing. They have teams for, like, go-to-market strategy, where, when you have yourself or another person, who is on your team. And so now we’re seeing, well, her team is AI.”
Green says AI tools have become less intimidating for her and now she sees them as a business partner. “You could think of it as a thought partner. You could think of it as a score of mentors. That’s what we are learning at the Bronx Chamber learning prompt engineering through AI.”
Organizers stress the goal isn’t replacing workers but helping small businesses survive and grow in a rapidly changing economy. “The majority of our business, not only in our borough but across the city, are small businesses, are mom and pop shops, that is the base of our economy.”
Graduates will receive Google certifications and a grant to help support their business and growth.
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