Tips for Mayo entrepreneurs to navigate business challenges at AI Advantage workshop

STARTUP founders, entrepreneurs and SMEs from all over Mayo are being invited to attend a special AI Advantage workshop in Galway on Wednesday, March 5.

The workshop is being organised as a regional event as part of Local Enterprise Week (LEW). It is aimed at helping businesses from all over Mayo, Galway and Roscommon to tackle real-world challenges, streamline operations, enhance efficiency, and leverage artificial intelligence (AI) for growth.

The AI Advantage: Transforming Challenges for Startups and SMEs workshop will take place at BIA Innovator Campus in Athenry, Galway. It will run from 12 noon until 2.30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 5, with registration from 11.45 a.m., and a light lunch included.

The event is being organised by Local Enterprise Office (LEO) Mayo, in conjunction with LEO Galway and LEO Roscommon, and in collaboration with the team at The PorterShed in Galway.

Speaking ahead of the event, Rosemary Gallagher, programmes lead at The Portershed, explained that the AI Advantage workshop is for any startup founder, entrepreneur, leader or manager who has said to themselves, “There must be a quicker way”.

“AI is such a buzz word, we're being dazzled by headlines about huge company valuations, training large language models, curing disease, and changing the world. But we're not going to talk about any of that.

“We're going to talk about the bottle-necks in individual businesses, and the things holding us back. Then we're going to look at simple practical tips, small changes that businesses can make in their day-to-day, so that the leaders and their team can gain the AI Advantage,” she said.

The workshop will explore specific challenges within Mayo businesses, helping attendees discover how to simplify complex processes using AI. By the end of the two-and-a-half-hour workshop, SMEs will have a concrete plan on how to integrate AI into their business operations.

Along with the experienced team from PorterShed, the workshop will be co-delivered by experts who work directly with businesses to help them navigate challenges using AI. As a result, attendees will not only learn about various AI tools, but will also hear real-world use cases and success stories.

Among those speaking will be entrepreneur, software designer, builder and now You-Tuber Robert O'Shaughnessy, who will share his insight in how businesses can use practical AI tools to maximum benefit.

Looking ahead to a busy schedule in Mayo for LEW, John Magee, head of enterprise at LEO Mayo, commented: “It is said that ‘you won’t lose your job to AI, but to someone that knows how to use AI’ and this is equally true for businesses.

“We live in a digital world and every small business must utilise AI and other emerging technologies to remain competitive, improve efficiency, drive innovation, and enhance customer experience. This workshop offers practical advice and guidance on how to get started and how the LEO can help your digital journey.”

Throughout LEW in Mayo, there will be a whole host of events taking place across the county including a series of business advisory clinics - in Claremorris on Tuesday, Ballina on Wednesday and Westport on Friday. The week will begin with an online seminar on Monday entitled Developing an Assertive Mindset. Tuesday will see an online session on Understanding Financials and Bookkeeping, as well as a Skillnet Innovation Exchange lunch event at Ireland West Airport.

International Women’s Day will be celebrated at Breaffy House on Wednesday, while there’ll also be an online seminar on Employing For The First Time. Thursday will see the final of the Student Enterprise Programme, as well as an AI For Business online seminar, and an Achill Tourism Industry Members Networking Event. There will be additional online seminars on Friday, entitled Preparing Your Business For Customs, and an introductory Start Your Own Business event.

To register for AI Advantage, visit https://galwayleo.clr.events/. For more details on events taking place in Mayo for LEW, visit https://www.localenterprise.ie/Mayo/Enterprise-Development/.