Here are five notable events in the tech landscape this week, and their potential impact on your business. Did you overlook them?
1 – Meta’s AI-Powered Chatbots Aim to Elevate Social Media Engagement.
Meta, the tech giant, is taking innovative strides in AI integration within social media. The company is currently developing “Personas,” which are AI-driven chatbots designed to interact with users on platforms like Instagram and Facebook. These chatbots will engage in conversations and may even possess unique personalities. Moreover, some of them will provide professional services such as coaching and customer support. The ultimate objective is to enhance the daily user engagement percentages by making the social media experience more captivating. (Source: Ars Technica)
Why this matters for your business:
Observing major corporations like Meta experiment with AI in various capacities is an intriguing development for small business owners. The outcome will determine whether users genuinely seek coaching advice from AI-driven entities. This experiment could shape future website development, incorporating similar AI tools to enhance user interaction.
2 – Bluevine Launches Integrated Accounts Payable Solution for Small Business Banking.
Financial tech firm Bluevine, serving over 400,000 small and mid-sized businesses, has unveiled an accounts payable feature integrated into its platform. This feature facilitates management and tracking of monthly payments. Users can upload and organize bills in a digital storage system, automate and monitor outgoing payments, and grant team members access to selected accounts. (Source: Yahoo Finance)
Why this matters for your business:
Bluevine’s move to merge banking and financial tools aligns with the anticipation that banks will eventually offer comprehensive accounting solutions to their small business clientele. This convergence of banking and financial management tools could pave the way for broader capabilities, including accounts receivable and general ledger functionalities.
3 – Verizon’s Small Business Days Offers Workshops, Promotions, and Tech Assessments.
Verizon has announced the upcoming Verizon Small Business Days, a program tailored for small and mid-sized businesses. It encompasses online workshops, promotional offerings, and complimentary technical evaluations. Notable promotions include a free 5G phone for service transfers to Verizon. Additionally, participants can avail themselves of free tech assessments from Verizon representatives, addressing security issues, connectivity, and potential improvements. (Source: GlobeNewswire)
Why this matters for your business:
Regular technology checkups are advisable for small businesses, considering security concerns and optimization potential. Verizon’s initiative provides a valuable opportunity to receive insights and recommendations from experts at no cost, making it a worthwhile endeavor for business owners.
4 – BigCommerce to Unveil Google Cloud AI-Enhanced Ecommerce Features.
E-commerce software provider BigCommerce is incorporating Google Cloud’s AI capabilities into its platform to empower enterprise merchants in streamlining their ecommerce operations. (Source: Tullahoma News)
Why this matters for your business:
With AI technology gaining traction, this integration will empower online merchants to automate processes, enhance customer interactions, and ultimately drive sales. Leveraging AI-driven solutions can enhance overall efficiency and user experience.
5 – Microsoft Teams 2.0 to Introduce Meeting Management App.
Microsoft is set to release a new app as part of Microsoft Teams 2.0, offering improved meeting management capabilities. Scheduled for launch this month with broader availability in September, this app will facilitate arranging and scheduling meetings, tracking essential details, and storing meeting content. AI-powered features like “Up next” will enable users to access alerts, documents, and answers related to the meetings. Additionally, the “Recent” feature will provide a record of meetings conducted within the past 30 days, including transcripts, notes, and presenter information. (Source: Winbuzzer)
Why this matters for your business:
Enhanced meeting management can lead to more streamlined workflows, efficient communication, and improved collaboration within teams. Microsoft Teams 2.0’s app showcases the integration of AI-driven features to boost productivity and engagement during business interactions.
