Should AI Be a Part of a Small Business Model?
Mercer County Community College (MCCC) has teamed up with New York-based Fusemachines to help owners of small- and medium-sized businesses discover the benefits of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology with its upcoming eight-week course “Artificial Intelligence for Professionals.”
The eight-week course meets Wednesdays from 5 to 8 p.m. from June 8 through July 27. The cost is $1,500. An information session takes place Wednesday, May 25, at 1 p.m. via Zoom. Register at www.mccc.edu/ai.
Artificial intelligence has come a long way over the past few decades. What was once only for marketing behemoths is becoming much more affordable for small- and medium-sized businesses. Companies can now reap AI’s benefits for product and service development or operational, marketing, and sales strategies to pinpoint and make the most of trends and metrics.
MCCC’s eight-week course targeted to business owners, non-technical and technical professionals explores how AI impacts businesses across a myriad of industries — from adding efficiencies to offering new ways to solve critical business problems.
Artificial Intelligence cuts across all industries and can streamline a multitude of processes. For instance, an online apparel company may require a chatbot or smart personal assistant for help desk or sales efforts; a farmer may require a solution to pull in weather data for exact planting or harvest times; a food vendor or restaurateur may implement voice-to-text to take orders during peak hours; a scheduling service may require autoresponders or store chain a virtual showroom; or a financial company may require cybersecurity.
“This course will help professionals make sense of the ever-evolving field of Artificial Intelligence for making informed and prudent decisions specifically for their business or industry,” said Raj Saha, instructor for the program.
Gonzalo Perez, dean of the MCCC Center for Continuing Studies Division of Lifelong Learning, noted, “Mercer County Community College wants to help our community business owners find ways to streamline their business operations with Artificial Intelligence solutions that really boost the bottom line.”
“AI used to be only for large corporations but is now an affordable option that will no doubt be an integral component of most small business plans in the coming years. Giving our community business professionals the tools to optimize their business success is one of our goals at the college,” he added.
Fusemachines brings together engineers and PhDs from around the world to develop and drive AI strategies, create cutting-edge AI-powered solutions and act as strategic partners to companies that need help realizing their digital transformation visions. Mercer County Community College brings this information to community business owners as well as any professional looking to get into AI as a career.
Nominations Open for Immigrant Entrepreneur Awards
Throughout New Jersey’s history, immigrant entrepreneurs have helped power the state’s economic growth, technological innovation, and prosperity. Through their talent, risk-taking, and hard work, they have accelerated growth in emerging industries and fueled the competitiveness of companies in the global economy. At the same time, immigrants have breathed new life into communities that have suffered from disinvestment and population decline.
As a way of recognizing the extraordinary contributions of immigrant entrepreneurs, the New Jersey Business Immigration Coalition sponsors the annual New Jersey Immigrant Entrepreneur of the year Awards Competition.
Now in its 10th year, the awards honor immigrant contributions in six areas: innovation, growth, advocacy, nonprofit achievement, rising star, and entrepreneur of the year.
For additional information about each award category, visit: https://njbusinessimmigration.org/award-categories/
This year’s awards will be presented at a ceremony hosted by the Hudson County Chamber of Commerce on September 21. To nominate an immigrant entrepreneur in any of the above categories, complete a nomination form available at: https://njbusinessimmigration.org/nominations.
Self-nominations are also welcome.
The due date for nominations is Thursday, June 30.
PACF Offers Funding for Nonprofits
The Princeton Area Community Foundation is offering the opportunity for nonprofits to seek funding for five of its grantmaking programs in one consolidated process. This call for proposals will be available until Monday, June 20.
This new system provides an opportunity for grant seekers to have access to a diversified pool of funds and have flexibility to determine their needs for funding in a comprehensive manner.
Nonprofits conducting work in the region will be able to determine their eligibility and apply for grants from the Community Impact Fund, Fund for Women and Girls, NextGen Giving Circle, Princeton Mercer Regional Chamber of Commerce Community Development Fund, or the COVID-19 Relief & Recovery Fund.
Visit www.pacf.org to learn more.
