> HOW CAN AI WORK FOR YOU? Nahim cautions against becoming


overly reliant, dependent, or trusting of any AI. He says users should always review the information provided for accu- racy and ensure they add a human touch. “It’s also important to realize that not


all AI are created equal, and not every AI solution will perform perfectly for your company,” says Nahim. “You also have to be aware of scams. AI scams are out there and they will become more prevalent.” In addition to scams, Sogueco


advises business owners to watch out for subpar software. He says the market is quickly becoming saturated with AI soft- ware as technology companies vie for a piece of the multibillion-dollar industry. Not all the available products are well designed or useful, so businesses should carefully select which AI to invest time and money into. Sogueco encourages business


PUT AI TO WORK


Almost 15 years ago, consumers were repeating the Apple iPhone slogan, “There’s an app for that,” every time someone brought up a problem that could be solved with an app. Soon, they may be saying, “There’s an AI for that,” as innovations in artificial intelligence have created thousands of programs designed to address a multitude of problems.


It can be difficult to navigate the ever-growing AI landscape to discover how it can work for you. Here are some tasks AI can help most floral businesses accomplish.


Content creation. Conversational chatbots can write blogs, social media posts, marketing emails, and more. Examples: ChatGPT, Google’s Bard.


Inventory management. AI can track store and/or warehouse inventory, suggest when to restock, and even evaluate past inventory data for shop- ping trends so it can recommend when to order certain items. Examples: Sortly, inFlow.


Website customer service. Chatbots can answer frequently asked ques- tions, make suggestions, and assist customers with their purchases, which increases conversion rates. Examples: MobileMonkey, Freshdesk.


Graphic design. Create new logos and graphics for promotional materi- als or rebranding. Examples: Midjourney, DALL-E.


Video editing. Businesses can record a video and use AI-powered software to trim it, extract and arrange content, remove and add back- grounds, add captions, and change size and orientation so it is optimized for various social media platforms. Examples: Munch, CapCut.


— Laurie Herrera 38 FLORAL MANAGEMENT | July/August 2023 | WWW.SAFNOW.ORG


owners to consider spending the money on good, useful software. While some AI is free to use, the companies may limit free accounts to certain hours or restrict them after a set number of uses per month. Investing in AI not only lifts the restrictions but also provides the soft- ware company with additional capital to refine and further develop the product. Pappas says he pays $20 per month


for ChatGPT Plus. The paid subscription model ensures he has access and gets quick responses even during peak times. “I believe in the future of it,” says


Pappas. “I don’t think it’s necessary to pay for it, to be honest, but I see it as an investment in the future of my business.” Whether businesses use paid or free


versions of AI software, Sogueco says the important thing is that they use it. Like latecomers to embrace the internet, online ordering, and social media, busi- ness owners who wait to adopt AI may soon find themselves far behind their competition. “At the end of the day, the florist


who is leveraging this technology will outrank, outbid, and out-market the florist who isn’t,” says Sogueco. “And it could make a huge difference in revenue, market share, and brand awareness in any local market. I think it’s that important.”


Laurie Herrera is a contributing writer for the Society of American Florists.


SHUTTERSTOCK/POPTIKA & KLYAKSUN


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