THE NEED FOR SPEED: AI AND TRADE
A s artificial intelligence who embrace the technology may remain cautious or struggle to see the significance of its impact. Some local trade, marketing and tech experts who are enthusiastically embracing AI, however, have other concerns — the biggest being businesses are not leveraging its tools to their advantage as quickly and aggressively as they should be. “I truly believe if people are not on top of AI, they’re going to get walked over by it,” says continues to weave its way into our daily routines, even business owners Mark Peters, a Winnipeg-based freelance marketing and sales operations strategist. Peters says AI hesitance is becoming less of an option for local businesses, especially those looking to expand their customer base and export their products on a global level. Juliano Goulart, a program manager and virtual trade accelerator with Tech Manitoba who helps companies digitize and export goods, says finding ways to apply AI to your everyday business needs is crucial. “It’s even hard to contemplate someone who is hesitant about it now,” he says. “It’s a make-it-or- break-it thing. You don’t just need to use AI, you need to understand how to maximize it.” Why the rush to adopt AI? One word: Speed. AI’s multitude of tools can put companies on the fast track to new markets. “We have companies in Winnipeg that are able to sell digital goods incredibly fast,” says Goulart, who is unable to disclose company BY LINDSEY WARD
Mark Peters, Winnipeg-based freelance marketing and sales operations strategist
names. “Because of AI, what was taking 18 months is now taking maybe two months.” Peters says his clients have seen similar success. “Your speed to market, your speed to execution has increased dramatically,” he says. “I’m working “It’s a make-it-or- break-it thing. You don’t just need to use AI, you need to understand how to maximize it.” — Mark Peters
on a project now for a client and doing a lot of market research, and I’m able to pull together in hours what might have taken weeks or months to do before.” Where should businesses start with AI? Local exporters looking to adopt the technology must first consider how it can be applied to their growth strategy. Next, they should build a strong data infrastructure, educate employees and even consider transforming their current business model, says Kiran Pedada, an associate professor of marketing and associate fellow in marketing and inclusive business at the University of Manitoba. “We don’t want to jump on the bandwagon,” says Pedada,
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