By LaToya Russell
LaToya Russell is a Delaware-based online business manager and automation consultant.
Artificial intelligence is more than a buzzword; it is a valuable tool for entrepreneurs that helps them work more efficiently and adapt to the ever-changing demands of being a small-business owner. From saving time and reducing costs to smarter consumer communications, it’s opening doors that were once shut to small operations. As a Delaware small-business owner myself, I know firsthand how helpful AI can be to redefine the way enterprises in the state connect with customers and streamline operations.
Small businesses are not just using digital tools and AI; they are embracing them. As an automation consultant, AI is central to my work. I help entrepreneurs by integrating cutting-edge AI tools to handle routine administrative tasks, such as client onboarding, calendar coordination and email sequencing. By leveraging intelligent automation and data-driven insights, I can deliver a smoother, more consistent experience for clients. Ultimately, AI empowers me to serve them efficiently, while maintaining high-quality, custom-tailored support.
Last month, I had the opportunity to learn even more about how to utilize AI tools for my business when I attended a conference in Washington, D.C., hosted by Meta. It included training that offered valuable resources for small businesses looking to personalize their marketing strategies, improve productivity and deliver better customer service. Much ink has been spilled about the potential impact of the “AI revolution,” but in many ways, it has already arrived, as an estimated 10,000 Delaware small businesses are now integrating solutions like automated chatbots and dynamic ad targeting.
During the conference, I also had the chance to meet with Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester, D-Del., and discuss how digital tools — such as Meta’s AI chat tool and video-editing tool, as well as its generative AI ad service — are an integral part of how small operations operate and thrive. I shared how AI helps not just my business but many others in the community.
AI isn’t coming in the distant future. It’s here now and already shaping how small merchants function and grow. I encourage Delaware lawmakers to consider the voices of entrepreneurs, like mine, when addressing legislation around AI and to make decisions that benefit the small-business community.
Reader reactions, pro or con, are welcomed at civiltalk@iniusa.org.
