I hosted a local AI training this morning after promoting it through our local newsletter. We had 90 people sign up, and on the day of the event, a full room of about 30 engaged business owners showed up, eager to learn.
It quickly became clear that while everyone had heard of AI, their hands-on experience was mostly limited to minimal interaction with free versions of tools like ChatGPT. The hunger for practical, applicable knowledge was palpable.
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Digital Version of Me
To kick things off, I didn’t start with a slide deck. Instead, I played a welcome video starring… me. Or rather, a hyper-realistic AI avatar of me created with a platform called HeyGen. This technology allows you to create a digital twin that can speak any text you provide.
The reaction was immediate. For most attendees, the idea that you could create a lifelike avatar was a complete revelation. It was the perfect icebreaker to show, not just tell, the power of accessible AI and set the stage for what’s possible.
Embracing the Live Demo
I kept the formal presentation to a minimum. The session was structured as a casual, highly interactive conversation. We spent our time working directly inside the AI tools, with me showing them exactly how to perform tasks live on screen.
The result? No one left early. The entire group stayed for the full two hours, and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. People felt they had gained a ton of practical, actionable knowledge that they could start using right away.
Be the AI Expert
If you have a passion for AI, I can’t recommend this enough. Hosting a simple workshop is a powerful way to get out from behind the screen and connect with local business owners in a meaningful way. They are actively looking for guidance in this new landscape.
Don’t have access to a local newsletter like I did? Don’t let that stop you. Call your local Chamber of Commerce and offer to host a free training session. Organizations like these are always looking for valuable content for their members and will likely be thrilled to help you promote it. You don’t need a massive platform to make an impact—you can just get started.
Conclusion
After this experience, here are some of my biggest takeaways:
- There’s a huge knowledge gap. Most business professionals have only scratched the surface of AI’s capabilities and are eager to learn more.
- “Show, don’t tell.” A live demonstration or a surprising example (like an AI avatar) is far more impactful than a traditional slide deck.
- Interaction is everything. A conversational, hands-on format keeps attendees engaged and ensures they feel their time was well spent.
- Partnerships are powerful. Your local Chamber of Commerce or other business groups are excellent potential partners for reaching an engaged audience.