Learn about AI during Local Enterprise Week on Leeside

Small businesses in Cork are being invited to attend a webinar on Chat GPT.

It’s part of a line up of events during next week’s Local Enterprise Week 2023 which runs from 6-10 March.

Chat GPT has taken the internet by storm since it launched at the end of 2022. It’s a versatile chatbot that can be trained to do any number of tasks including writing stories, composing music and answering questions.

Dr Niall O’Keeffe, Head of Enterprise at the Local Enterprise Office, Cork City, said: It’s the perfect opportunity to introduce small business to the potential of AI: “Since Chat GPT hit the headlines, we’ve seen the rush to explore the possibilities for business. This webinar by Sandra Hennessy on the Wednesday of Local Enterprise Week will offer participants everything they need to know about what Chat GPT is and how it’s evolving, and more importantly show them how to use Chat GPT to aid with content planning and development.”

Local Enterprise Week has built a profile as a highlight of the Cork business calendar in recent years and this year is no different.

The jam-packed programme offers expert advice on a wide range of topics from making your business green to improving your bottom line and even includes an opportunity for participants to stretch, relax and breathe with Happy Feet Reflexology halfway through the week.

Deputy Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr Damian Boylan said he’s looking forward to the week: “I’m delighted to see the Local Enterprise Week team in Cork City Council has once again put together a fantastic menu of events for the Cork business community. It’s a reminder of the amazing entrepreneurial talent we have in the city and a prime opportunity for people to tap into that expertise on their doorstep. Our business community has come together so well in recent years and Local Enterprise Week is another chance to reinforce that valuable supportive atmosphere”.

The opening event will take place at the UCC Centre for Executive Education on Lapp’s Quay on Monday and is followed by Cork City Retail Therapy - 2023 and Beyond.

This will be facilitated by leading Food and Retail Advisor, James Burke and features retail and business strategist Miriam Simons as keynote speaker, while Conor Cochrane of Social Media Elite and Renata de Godoy Bertrand of the Brazilian Snackhouse, Golden Bites will also be addressing the event.

Other in-person events include a presentation by John O’Shanahan of LeanBPI on the benefits of digitisation for food manufacturers and a workshop by Denis Casey of Casey Business Consulting on how businesses can improve their bottom line, demonstrating how to cost and price their products and services.

Some of the online events include a Green Business Advice Clinic, and a talk by Judie Russell of The Vidacademy who will offer her insights and advice on delivering online courses.

Judie said: “I am honoured to be presenting at this year’s Local Enterprise Week. I know only too well what it’s like to set up a business and how important it is to have support available when you need it. I hope I can impart some of my knowledge and experience to others. Doing business online has become an integral part of how we operate and I am looking forward to speaking to people about how they can get the best out of delivering online courses.”

All of the events are free but booking in advance is essential. For further information on the LEO Cork City’s complete programme of events for Local Enterprise Week and to book your place online, visit Localenterprise.ie/cork city.