Rochester Business Leaders Gather to Explore the Future of AI and Small Business

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — As artificial intelligence rapidly moves from emerging technology to everyday business tool, a new Rochester event is focused on helping small businesses understand how to use AI to drive growth, improve efficiency, and remain competitive.

The SB+AI Symposium: From Awareness to Action will take place June 23 at the Rochester Educational Opportunity Center (REOC), bringing together entrepreneurs, business owners, educators, economic development leaders, and technology experts for a full day of practical learning centered on artificial intelligence.

The symposium is part of SB+AI: Build Smarter, a regional initiative designed to help organizations move beyond AI curiosity and into real-world implementation. Through presentations, demonstrations, discussions, and hands-on learning opportunities, attendees will gain practical insights into how AI is being used across industries and how they can begin applying it within their own organizations.

The event arrives as AI adoption accelerates across the business landscape. While large corporations continue investing heavily in artificial intelligence, many small and mid-sized businesses are still determining where AI fits into their operations and how to implement it effectively.

For many business owners, the challenge is no longer understanding what AI is, but understanding where it can create measurable value. From automating administrative work and improving customer engagement to generating business insights and increasing productivity, AI is increasingly becoming a competitive advantage for organizations of all sizes.

That shift is particularly important for Rochester's economy, where small businesses account for the majority of employers across the region. As AI tools become more accessible and affordable, organizations that successfully integrate them into daily operations may be better positioned to scale, innovate, and compete in an increasingly digital marketplace.

The symposium's focus on practical application reflects a broader trend taking place across the innovation economy. Investors, business leaders, and economic development organizations are increasingly viewing AI adoption as a business capability rather than a technology initiative. The conversation has moved beyond experimentation toward implementation and measurable outcomes.

Among the featured sessions is a keynote from Dr. Dell Gines, Chief Innovation Officer for the International Economic Development Council (IEDC), who will discuss the growing urgency of AI adoption and what it means for businesses, workforce development organizations, educators, and communities. His presentation will explore how artificial intelligence is becoming a driver of economic competitiveness and why organizations that delay adoption risk falling behind in an increasingly technology-driven economy.

The symposium will also highlight the intersection of AI, economic opportunity, and community impact through a panel discussion titled "Closing the Gap: AI, Access, and the Future for Underserved Communities." 

The session will examine how AI is affecting minority- and women-owned businesses, immigrant entrepreneurs, students, and other underserved populations. Panelists include:

• Graham Anthony, Assistant Vice President of Educational Technology and Innovation at the Golisano Institute

• Megan Hageney, Economic Recovery Corps Fellow at Third Eye Network

• Agustin Rodriguez, Chief of Social Enterprises & Development at IBERO

• Cameron Caputi, Director of Community and Foundation Analytics at the Rochester Area Community Foundation

• Natarsha Wright, Strategic Advisor and AI Consultant at Ethos Strategy.

Together, the group will explore how AI can be leveraged to expand access to opportunity, strengthen workforce readiness, and support more inclusive economic growth across the region.

Full list of speakers.

The event also highlights Rochester's continued efforts to strengthen its position as a center for innovation and technology. The region's universities, startup community, workforce development organizations, and business leaders have increasingly prioritized AI education and digital transformation as key drivers of future economic growth.

Attendees will have the opportunity to connect with entrepreneurs, technology professionals, ecosystem partners, and industry experts while exploring practical use cases for AI across marketing, operations, workforce productivity, customer experience, and business growth.

As organizations across every sector continue evaluating how artificial intelligence will impact the future of work, events like SB+AI are helping translate a rapidly evolving technology into actionable business strategies.

For Rochester's business community, the message is increasingly clear: AI is no longer a future trend. It is becoming a core business tool, and the organizations that learn how to leverage it effectively may be the ones best positioned for long-term growth.

Event Details

SB+AI Symposium: From Awareness to ActionDate: June 23, 2026

Location: Rochester Educational Opportunity Center (REOC), 161 Chestnut St, Rochester, NY, 14604, US

RSVP Here: SB+AI Symposium: From Awareness to Action Registration

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