Unlocking AI’s Potential in West Virginia with Jacob Lesher

I’m recording this episode of Kanawha Valley Hustlers from Meet-Up 64. With me today is Jacob Lesher, the CTO of West Virginia Integrated AI Solutions. Jacob explains that his company helps small West Virginia businesses integrate AI into their business models. He mentions how everyone sees AI as the direction business is headed, but many wonder how it will work for them.

Curious, I ask Jacob to elaborate on AI. Jacob provides a broad overview, tracing the beginnings of modern AI back to the 90s. He explains that AI is essentially a self-improving program. Unlike traditional programs that rely on human programmers to iterate and refine, AI can do this on its own using training data and real-world experience. He highlights the recent advancements in Large Language Models and generative AI, which can create text, images, and even entire movies based on the instructions they receive.

I ask why AI seems to have suddenly exploded in popularity. Jacob attributes this to a tipping point in the technology. Previously, AI had niche applications limited to finance, search engines, and large companies. Now, the technology has advanced to a point where it can perform tasks that are relevant to almost every business. Jacob uses the example of data entry, a task common to many businesses, which AI can now handle efficiently. This broad applicability has increased funding, excitement, and marketability.

We discuss the specific ways AI is revolutionizing everyday tasks. Jacob highlights how AI can handle professional writing, from drafting emails to improving grammar and tone. It can help professionals in any field enhance their writing, regardless of their personal strengths in this area. Jacob shares that AI can quickly and effectively rewrite text to suit different purposes, such as a professional email versus a personal letter.

I ask Jacob about the questions people commonly ask him regarding AI. He mentions that many people want to know how AI will apply to their specific jobs and whether it will change or even replace them. Jacob explains that AI is a tool to be used by individuals. It can act as an assistant, agent, or perform entire tasks, but it does so based on the user’s instructions. AI is not autonomous; it requires human direction to function.

Jacob emphasizes that AI is not thinking for itself. It follows instructions accurately and consistently but does not act unprompted. This clarification helps address the confusion and concern some people have about AI’s independence and potential impact on their jobs.

Wrapping up, I ask Jacob how people can contact him. He provides the contact details for West Virginia Integrated AI Solutions. Visit the website at https://wviais.com/ call or text at (304) 437-8648 during business hours, 9 to 5. Email inquiries can be sent to Jacob directly at jlesher@wviais.com or to their account manager at jhardman@wviais.com