Session discusses use of artificial intelligence

By Rob Vogt

It was an opportunity to learn more about what artificial intelligence actually is and how to use it.
On Thursday, May 29, the Claresholm and District Chamber of Commerce partnered with Community Futures Alberta Southwest and the Regional Innovation Network of Southern Alberta to offer “Intro to AI for business” at the Claresholm Social Centre.
Approximately 20 people attended to hear Charlee Sereda, of the Regional Innovation Network of Southern Alberta, explain what artificial intelligence is and how to use it in their businesses.
After asking everyone what, if any, experiences they had with artificial intelligence, Sereda explained the difference between artificial intelligence and machine learning.
Artificial intelligence is the ability for a computer to think, learn and simulate human mental processes, such as perceiving, reasoning and learning. It can also independently perform complex tasks that once required human input.
Machine learning is the technology and algorithms that allow systems to recognize patterns, make decisions, and improve themselves through experience and data.
“AI is a layer on top of that,” Sereda said.
She then cited examples such as virtual assistants; autonomous vehicles; chatbots; text editors; and facial recognition.
Before going any further, Sereda talked about the potential unknowns and concerns people may have.
There are privacy and safety concerns about how safe online data is, and if there is a possibility of a data breach with artificial intelligence.
There are also ethical dilemmas such as using artificial intelligence to create fake images or videos; misrepresenting people; becoming dependent on artificial intelligence; and the potential artificial intelligence will displace people from jobs.
Sereda shared a simple rule of thumb she uses.
“Whatever you don’t want on the Internet,” she said. “Keep it off the Internet.”
Moreover, she addressed the issue of job displacement too.
“AI should not be used to replace human beings,” she said, adding it should be used to assist them.
Sereda then turned her attention to the different tools of artificial intelligence, such as Google Gemini; ChatGPT; and Microsoft Copilot.
Microsoft Copilot is deeply integrated with other Microsoft products such as Word, Excel, and Outlook, helping with tasks such as drafting e-mails, analyzing data, and creating presentations within these applications.
Google Gemini integrates with Google Workplace, that includes Gmail, Docs, and Sheets, with a focus on personalized assistance. However, its full capabilities are still being rolled out.
ChatGPT offers a free version with most capabilities.
Sereda also discussed other tools with more specialized capabilities.
Claude is good for writing computer code; Groq is good when working with complex math; and Perplexity has a research focus and everything on it is fact checked.
Sereda stressed to never pay for basic chatbots, that is artificial intelligence.
She then moved on to where to use ChatGPT.
Tasks include creating e-mails/campaigns; creating presenter scripts; marketing ideas; business plan help; reviewing large pieces of text; and helping clients with their specific needs.
After the participants took part in a challenge to use artificial intelligence to plan a seven-day dream vacation, Sereda went through some prompt tips.
Prompts are what users type into a chatbot in order for it to accomplish a task.
The first tip is to talk to artificial intelligence like you would talk to a person. That means giving feedback; asking follow-up questions; and providing more information.
The second tip is to set the stage and provide context. That means helping the artificial intelligence help you by giving more context to your question.
The third tip is telling the artificial intelligence to assume an identity or profession. That could mean typing in, “Explain like I am 5” or “Give an analogy”.
The fourth tip is to keep ChatGPT on track, by expanding on your question, and asking to explain why it said something.
The fifth tip is don’t be afraid to play and experiment.
Sereda also talked about tools used for images.
Leonardo.ai is for generating images.
Magic-eraser.com is for removing elements from images.
Dream machine assists with text to video.
She also touched on other tools that arer out there as well.
Gamma.app helps with presentations and websites; Amazely.co assists with social media; Loudly.com provides AI-generated music; and Forms.app helps with forms.
Sereda concluded with a general statement about the place of artificial intelligence.
“We really do need the human component,” she said. “Use it (Artificial Intelligence) to assist.”