“People are looking at it not as a way to replace people but how to help people be more efficient.”
Rick Baker is president and CEO of the Grand Rapids Chamber. He says one hot-button topic discussed at the summit was artificial intelligence and its effect not only on businesses in general, but on a company’s employees.
“How do we speed things up? How do we make them a little easier, less time-consuming, but also very much looking at innovation and what’s next. What will the capabilities be next with AI?”
Baker says despite some economic downturns throughout the country, business leaders are still optimistic about the opportunities for growth in West Michigan.
“You know, and they’re always cautiously optimistic because the world changes and things happen, so you kind of keep an eye out, but they’re investing, which is also a good sign that they’re investing in their companies and investing in future.”
Despite future uncertainties, according to Grand Valley State University’s March Supply Chain Management Research, confidence in West Michigan businesses is holding fairly steady.
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