Cade Lucas
“I feel like if you know something, then it will be a great opportunity. If you don’t know, then it will be a threat.”
Werribee businessman Imran Abulkashem could be describing anything with that phrase, but in this case he’s talking about A.I or artificial intelligence.
And to ensure other western suburbs business people view it as an opportunity rather than a threat, Mr Abulkashem and business partner Brendon Callister are running an A.I conference at the Encore Events Centre in Hoppers Crossing on October 24.
While both have their own small businesses, (Mr Abulkashem is a photographer and Mr Callister is a business management consultant), both also run Bizcon Events, a business networking company.
Mr Abulkashem said using A.I in his other businesses made it an obvious topic for their next conference.
“It (A.I) helps my business in terms of the marketing, in terms of automation, in terms of my personal time settings. It’s doing very well for my business,” he said.
“I was thinking if it’s doing well for my business, why not help people know more so they can use it for their business as well.”
Helping conference attendees know more will be guest speakers, including Microsoft’s Felicity Turner, who has worked with artificial intelligence for 30 years, and Dr Mark Cheong from Melbourne University who will discuss the future and ethics of A.I.
Hands-on tutorials and workshops will also be offered.
Brendon Callister said it was incumbent on business owners to gain an understanding of A.I, as it could determine their success or failure.
“The timing for businesses to get involved is now and so this is an opportunity to help break the ice for people that are not sure where to start, how to start what to do to get them on the journey and to keep up with the rest of the industry out there that is adopting A.I,” Mr Callister said.
“If they don’t adopt it, and their competitors are adopting it, then there’s a good chance they’re gonna get left behind.”
To register and for more information: bizconevents.com.au/
