Generative AI in Small Business
From Ideas to Execution
in 3 minutes
Lance Douglas
CEO/CTO, IAXOV.com
Context & Continuity
Who I Am
- CEO/CTO of IAXOV.com
- Building hyper-personalized AI platforms
- Serving government, enterprise, and NGOs
Building on Previous Speakers
- Joy Caven: Using ChatGPT at work and home
- Kim Free: What AI cannot do
- Now: Addressing the Fears
Privacy & Data Concerns
Using AI Securely with Sensitive Data
- Understand your LLM provider's privacy policies
- Turn off data sharing options when available
- Be thorough in your research about security practices
- Consider enterprise solutions with dedicated security features
Best Practice: With proper precautions, AI can be used securely even with sensitive business information.
Enterprise Options: Many providers offer business-specific plans with enhanced privacy controls and data handling agreements.
Core Concept: AI Needs Direction
The House Framing Analogy
Asking GenerativeAI to build software is like hiring a robot to frame your house.
- It knows how to hammer and follow code
- But without your guidance, the house won't be livable
- AI needs context, structure, and direction from you
Practical Use Case: Building Business Solutions
Go Beyond Refining Words
Important: GenAI doesn't create strategy, you do – it organizes and formalizes what you know.
Key Point: You're using the same tool as others – you're just stacking the outputs in a structured, goal-driven way.
Test & Learn Mindset: Start with quick wins and small daily uses. Try AI as your "junior assistant" to overcome the "I don't have time" or "I'll look foolish" fears.
Closing Analogy: AI as an Apprentice
Imagine giving the robot blueprints, materials, cut sheets, and expert insight – now it can frame the house properly.
Same with GenAI – mentor it with knowledge, and it becomes a powerful assistant.
Reality Check: AI is a tool, not a complete replacement for human creativity and critical thinking.
AI is Ready
IAXOV's Real-World Applications
- TalentED-YYC using STRATEVITA - talentedyyc.stratevita.com
- AI-powered career readiness assessment platform for students
- Measures workplace competencies with natural conversational interface
- Partners with multiple post-secondary institutions in Calgary
- JPI Solutions - Automation & Controls Industry
- Automating complex engineering studies with UNIFYZE
- Industry-leading talent management with STRATEVITA
- (announcing soon) - "Changing what it means to be Blind" using STRATEVITA
- (announcing soon) - Fully custom platform helping a Provincial Innovation Ecosystem organize coaching onboarding through their existing maze of forms and reporting needs