Evanston small businesses incorporate artificial intelligence into their operation
Evanston small businesses incorporate artificial intelligence into their operation
Publish Date: 2026-01-15 00:25:00
Source Domain: dailynorthwestern.com
- Brianna Sylver, founder of Sylver Consulting, started incorporating AI out of curiosity and has since integrated it into each stage of her recruitment and data collection processes.
- A report predicts that the usage of AI among small businesses has increased by 18% from 2024, with higher adoption rates seen in Illinois, particularly in Evanston.
- AI tools like Recollective and Google’s NotebookLM have aided consulting groups and marketing firms in Evanston, automating research and content generation, respectively.
- Reed Hansen, from MarketSurge, finds AI has extended his company’s reach allowing them to take on more clients without needing to hire additional staff, using a variety of AI platforms.
- Despite the significant benefits, not all users are comfortable with full AI integration; Allie Payne, an Evanston realtor, is hesitant because she feels it reduces independent thinking.
- Sylver emphasizes AI as a brainstorming tool rather than a complete replacement for critical tasks like report writing.
- Hansen highlights the importance of human touch in marketing, arguing that fully automated agencies aren’t always what clients seek.
