AI: largest disruptor of our lives is already here

In a world increasingly defined by rapid technological shifts, Andrew Bartolotta, Director of Digital Media for city-CURRENT, delivered a stirring wake-up call to the Byhalia Area Chamber of Commerce. Speaking at the Country Bull Events center on Thursday, Bartolotta characterized artificial intelligence not as a distant science-fiction concept, but as the most significant catalyst for change in modern history.

“AI is going to be the largest disruptor in our lives,” Bartolotta told the crowd of local business leaders and community members. “In the next 24 to 36 months, you’re going to remember today as the day you decided to lean all in and explore.”

Despite the global buzz surrounding platforms like ChatGPT, Bartolotta presented startling statistics that highlight a significant “AI divide.” Currently, 84 percent of the world has never used AI, and a staggering 82 percent of businesses have yet to implement any AI tools into their operations.

Bartolotta argued that this gap represents a massive opportunity for small towns like Byhalia to gain a competitive edge. “The competitive advantage won’t go to the companies with the most tools,” he noted. “It will go to the companies that normalize responsible AI fluency across their teams.”

To demystify the technology, Bartolotta broke AI down into four distinct, evolving layers: • Machine Learning: The foundational layer where computers learn from patterns.

• Predictive AI: Used by businesses to forecast revenue and customer behavior.

• Generative AI: The “creative” phase, where machines like ChatGPT write, design, and summarize.

• Agentic AI: The emerging frontier where AI takes initiative, completing multi-step tasks autonomously.

“We’ve moved from AI that simply analyzes data to AI that can take initiative,” Bartolotta explained. He demonstrated this with “Agentic” examples, such as AI agents that can monitor inventory across multiple sales channels and automatically draft purchase orders when stock runs low.

Bartolotta showcased how local organizations are already pivoting. For instance, he highlighted how a bank could use predictive modeling to look at alternative financial data—like rent and utility payments—to provide “readiness scores” for mortgage applicants who might have lower traditional credit scores.

For non-profits, he demonstrated how Perplexity.ai could source grant opportunities in 30 seconds, a task that typically takes humans days of research.

He even showcased Suno AI, which generated a custom country song for the luncheon’s venue, Country Bull Events, illustrating how AI can enhance storytelling and marketing.

“Tools don’t change the world, people do. AI is powerful, but compassion is what gives us purpose,” he said.

Bartolotta introduced his SCALE framework: Storytelling, Consistency, Access, Leadership, and Efficiency, as a roadmap for integration. He urged the audience to let “curiosity beat fear,” reminding them that AI is an infrastructure, much like email or the internet once were.

As the luncheon concluded, the message was clear: AI is waiting for human direction and ethics to give it meaning. For the businesses of Byhalia, the clock is ticking on the next two years of transformation.