I recently attended an Artificial Intelligence (AI) for Business conference at Olds College, where leading industry professionals shared how artificial intelligence is being adopted across industries today.
The event was sold out within 2 weeks and was attended by over 280 local business owners and entrepreneurs.
Keynote speaker Evgeny Koloda of Palm Harbour, Florida is an AI business consultant and shared experiences of designing; fully automated gold-mines, farmland surveying/crop spraying by automated drones, AI pricing analysis of suppliers and/or competitors, customized applications coded 100% by AI, and automated marketing/visual generation using AI. Evgeny even went on to explain how with $67, a simple picture, and 12 seconds of voice recording, using AI application “HeyGen”, anyone can create a digital avatar of themselves, to read scripts within seconds. For international businesses, this includes the ability to translate your voice, into 80 different languages, that still sound like you. Sound scary? Or exciting? I’d say both.
My perception of AI was shattered during this full-day event. Practical applications of AI, risks of AI, how both apply to local business owners, and how to invest for the AI revolution were topics that spiraled in my mind as I grew my understanding.
I summarize several highlights below and what this means for businesses and investors…
A New Era of Business Intelligence
What stood out most is how quickly AI has moved from a distant concept to a daily business tool. The age of AI is no longer “on the way” – it’s here right now, reshaping how entrepreneurs manage time, communicate with customers, and make business decisions.
For Central Alberta business owners, the conversation is no longer about whether AI will matter; it’s about how to use it effectively to save time, save money, and/or gain a lasting advantage in today’s market.
From Curiosity to Utility – AI’s Role Today
The presenters demonstrated that AI can already perform tasks once reserved for full creative or administrative teams:
- Trend Capture: Monitoring social signals and spotting emerging topics before competitors do.
- Script Generation: Writing articles, marketing posts, and ad copy tailored for engagement.
- Video Production: Producing professional-quality videos with realistic digital presenters.
- Auto-Publishing: Distributing branded content automatically across multiple platforms.
For small and medium-sized businesses, this means the ability to scale communication and marketing at a fraction of previous costs – and to re-invest those saved hours back into customer relationships, innovation, and growth.
The Four Pillars of Practical AI
Another framework shared at the event described AI’s four practical pillars:
The takeaway was clear: AI isn’t replacing expertise – it’s multiplying it.
When combined with sound business judgment, these tools free up owners and managers’ time to focus on what truly requires human attention: leadership, strategy, and client experience.
Learning from Healthcare – Automation that Empowers People
One memorable case study from the conference came from the healthcare professional sector. Traditionally, doctors spent hours each day documenting patient visits through dictation and transcription. Ambient AI systems can now listen in real time, interpret medical terminology, and produce complete, structured notes within seconds. All that’s left is for the doctor to proofread and fine-tune the medical notes to ensure precision.
The result? More time with patients, less time on paperwork.
That same logic applies to business. Imagine automating your month-end reporting, proposal creation, or follow-ups so you can spend those hours building relationships and vision. AI’s promise lies in that reallocation of time from trivial tasks to deep thinking, enhancing the value of key persons in your business.
AI and the Markets – The Next Growth Frontier
From an investment perspective, AI is also reshaping the global economy.
Large technology firms such as OpenAI, Google, Microsoft, and NVIDIA are building the digital infrastructure behind this transformation. Their vast computing networks and proprietary models are powering almost every smaller AI platform on the market.
This consolidation trend mirrors previous technology cycles – from the rise of the internet to cloud computing – where early innovation starts in small firms, but long-term scale rewards the industry leaders.
For investors, that means the long-term growth potential in AI may increasingly be concentrated within these established tech giants, even as smaller niche players continue to emerge.
This expectation is demonstrated already, in the “stretched valuation multiples” we are seeing for large technology companies today. When markets are optimistic and investors are willing to pay premium prices for companies, the execution of their AI vision into tangible earnings growth becomes even more important. We call this being “priced for perfection”. Enhanced earnings growth from perfect execution of their business development plans will be required to justify premium prices today. Any missteps could result in added volatility.
We must also consider the potential in industries that indirectly related to AI such as energy, utilities, cooling systems, or simply businesses that drive value through AI. Just as AI can streamline workflows in local businesses, publicly-traded companies that can effectively use AI to save employees time, or improve efficiency, could see enhanced earning potential.
At Weatherill Wealth, we monitor these shifts closely because they influence everything from sector diversification to long-term portfolio construction.
Why It Matters for Alberta Business Owners
Across Central Alberta, communities such as Red Deer, Sylvan Lake, Lacombe, Stettler, Olds, Wainwright, and Provost are filled with entrepreneurial, family-run businesses that value personal connection.
Here are three ways they could be using AI right now, to enhance their operations, without taking away from what makes them unique and successful:
- Save time and costs by automating repetitive workflows.
- Enhance client experience through personalized communication at scale.
- Make data-driven decisions faster with real-time financial and operational insights.
Just as you rely on professionals to manage complex financial strategies, you can now rely on technology to manage repetitive processes – allowing you to focus on growth, people, and your long-term vision.
The Broader Message – Don’t Wait
One of the conference’s closing messages was simple: start small, start now, and compound your advantage.
Every week that passes, AI tools become more capable and more affordable. Early adopters gain not only productivity, but insight – learning how to use automation to improve margins, reduce risk, and strengthen customer loyalty.
As wealth advisors, we see the same principle in financial planning: those who begin early, compound the most advantage over time.
Our Call to Action
The age of AI is here today. Businesses are already using it to save time and money.
At Weatherill Wealth, we manage more than investments – we help families and businesses build complete, forward-thinking wealth strategies. That includes financial planning, tax-efficient structures, investing for the future, business succession, and now, practical insight into how AI is reshaping the business and investment landscape.
It’s important to have a forward-thinking approach to your whole wealth management picture – and our team is here to help.
Email us at nathan.dyck@rbc.com to schedule a complimentary second opinion on your current wealth management plan.
- Nathan Dyck Associate Advisor Weatherill Wealth of RBC Dominion Securities
This information is not investment advice and should be used only in conjunction with a discussion with your RBC Dominion Securities Inc. Investment Advisor. This will ensure that your own circumstances have been considered properly and that any action is taken based upon the latest available information. The strategies and advice in this blog are provided for general guidance. Interest rates, market conditions, special offers, tax rulings, and other investment factors are subject to change.
