AI Demystified: From Buzzword to Business Advantage

Description

PRESENTED BY CITY OF NEW LONDON

AI Demystified - What It Is, What Your Competitors Are Doing, and Why You Should Care

Tired of hearing about AI but not sure what it actually means for YOUR business?

Join us for a straight-talk session that cuts through the hype and shows you exactly how artificial intelligence can help your business compete, without breaking the bank or requiring a computer science degree.

In just one hour, you'll discover:

• What AI really is (hint: it's not robots taking over the world)
• Practical AI tools you can implement immediately, from free options to enterprise solutions
• Real examples of how local businesses are using AI to save time, reduce costs, and attract customers
• Why your competitors may already have an edge and how to catch up fast

You'll leave with: A clear understanding of AI's true capabilities, specific tools to explore, and a simple action plan you can implement immediately.

No prior tech experience needed. Bring your questions, and maybe your skepticism. We'll address both.

*This workshop will also be translated into Spanish in real time using AI, making it accessible to even more of our business community.

*Este taller de IA será traducido al español en tiempo real mediante inteligencia artificial, lo que lo hará accesible para la comunidad empresarial hispanohablante.  

Featured Speaker: Dr. Susan Purrington

Susan Purrington obtained her PhD in Leisure Behavior from Indiana University and is currently the Harold F. Wiley Generative AI Teaching and Learning Fellow at Connecticut College. She is a recognized pioneer in AI integration within higher education, having developed the nation's first AI literacy course focused on leisure and recreation ("AI and the Future of Fun") and created several academic support and professional bots, such as the "RT Buddy," a specialized GPT chatbot for recreational therapy professionals. As an AI Ethics & Integration Consultant and former Associate Teaching Professor at Northern Arizona University, she has delivered presentations on AI in education and therapeutic recreation across multiple countries. She is a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist (CTRS) and holds multiple AI and teaching certifications.

Dr. Purrington chairs the AI Communities of Practice, conducts AI literacy workshops for entrepreneurs and educators, and chairs the American Therapeutic Recreation Association AI Task Force. Her work bridges the gap between cutting-edge AI technology and practical applications in education, therapeutic recreation, and inclusive learning environments. When she is not teaching or consulting, Susan directs the nonprofit "welcomed here, Inc.," she founded in 2022 to meet the needs of small businesses’ professional development in inclusive practices.  They offer low to no-cost workshops and trainings multiple times a year.