Small business owners in Reno County learned Friday morning how artificial intelligence can boost productivity, streamline operations and help them stay competitive in a rapidly changing marketplace.
StartUp Hutch partnered with Wichita State University to present “AI for Small Business,” an interactive session held at The Wool Market and DIY School in downtown Hutchinson. The event featured StartUp Hutch’s Graham Klemme and Troy Tabor, Director of Innovation Intelligence at Wichita State’s College of Innovation and Design.
Tabor said AI represents a major leap for entrepreneurs—comparable to the industrial revolution in its potential impact.
“This is one of those technologies that can unlock productivity in the same way electricity did,” Tabor said. “Understanding where it’s good, where it’s not so good, and how to use it effectively is going to make or break the next generation of small business.”
Both presenters emphasized the accessibility of AI tools like ChatGPT, Gemini and Copilot, noting that even beginners can start with simple tasks—such as generating a business plan, writing social media posts, or creating daily agendas. Klemme said AI’s biggest advantage for small businesses is its ability to lower barriers for entrepreneurs who may struggle with writing, research or time management.
“It can take weeks to write a business plan, but ChatGPT can create a draft in five minutes,” Klemme said. “That can be the difference between getting started or getting stuck.”
Tabor encouraged business owners to view AI as an assistant rather than a replacement for human effort.
“It’s like having an intern that does an okay—or sometimes a really good—job,” he said. “But you still need to check its work. It’s not perfect.”
Both cautioned against overreliance, noting that AI tools can make factual errors or “hallucinate” incorrect information. They advised users to double-check accuracy and keep learning as the technology evolves.
When asked whether AI could help local entrepreneurs compete with large corporations, Tabor said smaller businesses have a key advantage.
“Big companies are already using AI in a lot of ways,” he said. “But small business owners are nimble—they can experiment faster and adapt quickly. That’s their superpower.”
Klemme and Tabor closed the discussion by urging attendees to explore and experiment.
“Just open ChatGPT and start talking to it,” Tabor said. “See what it can do for your business, your projects, even your daily life. The more you use it, the more you’ll understand its strengths and limits.”