TYLER, Texas (KLTV) – Texas is home to about 3.5 million small businesses, accounting for nearly all businesses in the state, but owners say staying small, or just starting out, comes with challenges. <\/p>\n
Organizers of the Governor\u2019s Small Business Summit say one solution is bringing entrepreneurs together to share resources, learn new skills and build connections. <\/p>\n
That\u2019s what happened Tuesday at the W.T. Brookshire Conference Center in Tyler, where business owners gathered for sessions on topics ranging from finance and resilience to artificial intelligence. <\/p>\n
Small businesses play a central role in many rural communities, but owners said they sometimes need guidance and support to keep up with changing technology and market demands. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s an opportunity to gather with like-minded people and small business owners to learn about the resources available to us here,\u201d said Jerlyn Abarca, a business owner who attended the event. <\/p>\n
The summit travels around Texas to connect entrepreneurs with state and regional assistance programs. <\/p>\n
David Cleveland, director of the East Texas Council of Governments, told attendees that AI can be controversial but said businesses that learn it early may benefit. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt can be a foul word in this area, or you can take advantage and get on the train now and figure it out,\u201d Cleveland said. <\/p>\n
Cleveland described AI as a tool that can help small companies work more efficiently if used thoughtfully. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a tool that we really need to get ahead of and use, and integrate as quickly and efficiently as we can into our small business operations,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
Other speakers offered caution, emphasizing that AI\u2019s impact depends on the user. Chad Adams, a supervisory cybersecurity advisor, warned that the technology can be used in harmful ways as well as helpful ones. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe ability has become so much greater with A.I. It is a tool, it can be used for good, and it can be used for bad,\u201d Adams said. <\/p>\n
Still, summit leaders said the goal is to help business owners understand how to use AI responsible, as one more resource to support growth. <\/p>\n
\u201cBasically, you can think of A.I. as an additional brain working with you to accomplish goals,\u201d Cleveland said. <\/p>\n
Organizers said the Governor\u2019s Small Business Summit has more than 10 stops remaining. For East Texas business owners who missed Tuesday\u2019s event in Tyler, the summit is scheduled to return to the region Sept. 3 in Nacogdoches. <\/p>\n
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