The rapid evolution of artificial intelligence tools has created both opportunity and confusion for small business owners. As generative AI capabilities expand daily, many entrepreneurs find themselves wondering which solutions actually deliver value versus which ones simply add technological complexity.
This Thursday’s free “Strategy with AI” event in downtown Sioux Falls aims to cut through the noise by showcasing practical, accessible AI tools specifically beneficial for small businesses operating with limited resources.
“Most small business owners I speak with feel overwhelmed by AI hype but uncertain about concrete applications,” says Jessica Michaels, digital strategy consultant and event organizer. “We’re focusing exclusively on free or low-cost tools that deliver immediate productivity benefits without requiring technical expertise.”
The two-hour workshop, hosted at Startup Sioux Falls, has already attracted significant interest from local business owners. Registration numbers suggest the event will reach capacity before Thursday, reflecting growing anxiety among small businesses about potentially falling behind more tech-savvy competitors.
Recent data from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce shows that while 82% of small business owners believe AI will impact their industry, only 29% have actually implemented any AI solutions. This adoption gap creates vulnerability for main street businesses competing against larger corporations already deploying sophisticated AI systems.
“The accessibility barrier has dropped dramatically in the past six months,” explains Mark Jenkins, technology advisor at First Bank & Trust, one of the event sponsors. “Tools that required specialized knowledge or enterprise budgets last year are now available to anyone with basic computer skills and sometimes at no cost.”
The event will showcase practical demonstrations of several key tools, including Canva’s AI-powered design features, ChatGPT for content creation, and Google’s Bard for research assistance. Participants will receive a digital resource guide with step-by-step implementation instructions.
According to the South Dakota Small Business Development Center, businesses that adopt appropriate digital tools show 30% higher revenue growth than non-adopting peers. For many local establishments, the challenge lies not in willingness to adopt new technology but in identifying which solutions merit investment of limited time and resources.
“We’re particularly interested in showing how AI can solve specific problems – scheduling efficiency, customer communication, basic market research – rather than presenting it as some magical solution,” Michaels notes. “The focus is on practical applications that save time or improve quality without requiring significant technical training.”
The event organizers have intentionally recruited presenters from diverse business backgrounds rather than technology specialists. Attendees will hear from a local restaurant owner, a retail shop manager, and a one-person marketing consultant – all sharing their experiences implementing AI tools with minimal technical support.
Federal Reserve research indicates that small businesses nationwide lost approximately 40% of their operating hours to administrative tasks that could potentially be automated. For Sioux Falls entrepreneurs operating in a tight labor market, finding ways to leverage technology often means the difference between growth and stagnation.
“I was spending three hours every Sunday planning social media content,” says Lisa Truman, owner of Downtown Boutique, who will present at Thursday’s event. “Now I use an AI assistant to generate initial ideas and draft posts, cutting my time investment to less than an hour while actually improving quality.”
Event organizers emphasize that the workshop isn’t about replacing employees with technology but rather helping business owners and their teams work more efficiently. Several featured tools focus on augmenting human capabilities rather than automation.
“The most successful implementations we’ve seen are where AI handles the routine or repetitive aspects of work, freeing humans to focus on relationships and creativity,” Jenkins explains. “When a small business owner can reclaim 5-10 hours weekly from administrative tasks, that translates to real growth potential.”
For those unable to attend Thursday’s event, Startup Sioux Falls plans to share selected resources through their website and will likely schedule additional sessions based on community response. Registration information is available through the Startup Sioux Falls website.
As AI capabilities continue evolving, events like these represent an important bridge between technological possibility and practical implementation. For Sioux Falls small businesses, the opportunity to learn from peers who have already navigated this territory provides valuable shortcuts to effective adoption.
“Sometimes the hardest part is just getting started,” Michaels concludes. “Our goal is to help local businesses take that first step with confidence.”
