FFR 279 – AI Superpowers for Small Business

In this special Financial Flash Report, we’re on location at the Edina Chamber of Commerce, where we were guest speakers for the first Business Bites event of 2026. During the session, we talked with local business leaders about how artificial intelligence is changing the way small businesses operate. From improving efficiency to helping with marketing and decision-making, we explored practical ways small businesses, like us, are using AI today to stay competitive and grow. Please watch as we take you through the presentation deck for you and every small business out there who is curious about using AI productively.

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FFR 279 – AI in Small Business. 

Slide 1:

Stiles Financial is out in the community!

We recently had the privilege of speaking at the first Business Bites event of 2026 with the Edina Chamber of Commerce, where we dove into one of the biggest topics in business right now — Artificial Intelligence.

Slide 2:

In this Financial Flash, we talked about the types of AI, how it’s evolving, and how we’re using it in our daily work at Stiles Financial — from streamlining communication to enhancing creativity and improving efficiency, all while staying grounded in transparency and compliance.

Kristine: Slides 5-7

Slide 5: (Kristine)

(As we look at AI adoption, it’s clear this isn’t theoretical anymore — it’s practical.

Over half of business owners are already using AI for cybersecurity and fraud management. The Information and Technology sectors are leading the way, while industries like transportation and service are adopting more gradually due to scalability challenges.

When it comes to content, one in three businesses plan to use ChatGPT for website copy, and 44% for multilingual content. Nearly half — 46% — are using AI to craft internal communications.

At the same time, more than 40% of business owners worry about becoming too dependent on technology — which is a healthy concern.

Slide 6: (Kristine)

 From the consumer perspective, the reaction is nuanced.

There’s more hesitation around AI being used for personalized advertising, product descriptions, and reviews — areas where authenticity really matters. But consumers are far more comfortable with AI-powered recommendations and chatbots, where speed and convenience are valued.

Slide 7: (Kristine)

And notably, 65% of consumers say they have some level of trust in businesses that use AI.

That tells us trust isn’t lost simply because AI is involved — it’s shaped by how responsibly and transparently it’s used.

Slide 8: (Glenn)
“Let’s quickly ground ourselves in six types of AI you’ll run into.

Rules-based AI is the oldest. It follows if-then rules written by humans. There’s no learning — just execution.

Predictive AI learns from historical data to forecast what’s likely to happen next. Think search suggestions or targeted ads.

Perception AI interprets images, audio, and video. Self-driving cars recognizing lanes or apps translating signs in real time are good examples.

Natural language AI, like ChatGPT, understands and generates human language. It can summarize, explain, draft, and organize complex information.

Generative AI creates new content — images, video, code, music — from prompts.

And finally, Agentic AI can plan and take multi-step actions toward a goal with minimal supervision. This is where AI assistants begin acting more like junior team members. This space is evolving quickly.”

Slide 9: (Glenn)
“This is generative AI in action. (run video clips :10 cut)

This video was created using AI avatar clones built from still images and voice models. No studio. No camera crew. Once the avatars are built, producing professional content becomes a script update instead of a reshoot.

Slide 10: (Glenn)
“At Stiles Financial, here are the AI tools we rely on most for our everyday usage…

First is HeyGen. We use it to create digital clones and produce our weekly Financial Flash videos. Once avatars are set up, new content becomes fast and scalable.

Next is ChatGPT, our most heavily used tool. We use it for ideation, refining communication, drafting emails, summarizing notes, organizing information, and turning complex data into clear messaging. It eliminates the blank page, but we always review and verify.

We also use Sora to generate lifelike photos and short video clips from prompts when we need custom visuals.

Adobe Photoshop with Firefly AI helps us extend backgrounds, remove distractions, and enhance images efficiently.

Adobe Premiere uses AI features to improve audio, smooth edits, and polish video.

Finally, Gamma helped create this presentation. We started with prompts and a color palette, and AI generated a structured draft that we customized.

Across the board, AI helps us move faster and generate more options — but human judgment always makes the final call. And when AI is used in our content, we clearly flag it.”

Slide 11: (Glenn)

“Now instead of me listing more use cases, let’s ask it directly.”

‘Act as a productivity strategist. Give this group practical ways AI can make them significantly more productive in their profession. Include communication, marketing, analysis, brainstorming, and time-saving workflows. Frame them as professional “superpowers” they can start using immediately.’

Those are great suggestions. Conversation mode makes it easy to bounce ideas back and forth more like a partner. And for many of these tools you’ll need the paid version to retain a greater historical retention and unlock the best features.

Rachel 13-15

Slide 13: (Rachel)

If there’s one takeaway, it’s transparency. If AI is assisting in communication, analysis, or content creation, that should never be hidden. Trust takes years to build and moments to lose.

Slide 14: (Rachel)

AI can generate responses that sound confident, polished, and completely accurate — but are entirely incorrect. It can fabricate statistics, misquote sources, or present assumptions as facts. And in professional settings — especially in financial services — that’s not just embarrassing. It can be damaging.

There’s also the risk of misuse. Uploading sensitive information into unsecured platforms. Relying on AI-generated content without verification. Allowing automation to replace judgment.

AI does not understand compliance.
It does not understand fiduciary responsibility.
And it does not carry accountability.

That responsibility remains with us.

Slide 15: (Rachel)

As AI adoption accelerates and investment continues to grow, the stakes get higher. The technology is improving rapidly — but so is the potential for over-reliance.

AI isn’t going away.

Here’s what the conversation ultimately showed:

AI doesn’t make businesses less human.

When used thoughtfully, it allows us to be more human.

More strategic.
More creative.
More focused on relationships.

Thank you to the Edina Chamber of Commerce for hosting us — and to everyone who joined the discussion.

We’re excited to continue the conversation. We will next be out with the Chamber for their April 8^th Edina Shark Tank at the Edina Country Club, we would love to see you in the tank!