Alaska SBDC’s AI Resource Program

Aspire Med Spa, a luxury medical spa in Anchorage, is dedicated to blending beauty and science. With a focus on self-care for all ages and genders, Aspire offers a range of advanced aesthetic and wellness services. “Our mission is to deliver high-quality care in a sophisticated atmosphere, exceeding client expectations with the latest products and technologies,” says CEO and Aesthetic Nurse Marisa Scott.

Recently, Scott learned how to leverage AI to grow her practice to the next level. Her educational journey was guided by consultations with Carlos Machuca, director of the AI Resource Program in Anchorage. “We discovered AI was the key to mastering efficiency, operations, accuracy, innovations, marketing, et cetera,” Scott says. “Incorporating AI into my practice saved thousands of dollars in various departments. We are truly grateful to have had Carlos Machuca’s guidance in learning and mastering AI.”

The AI Resource Program is an extension of the Alaska Small Business Development Center (SBDC), which is hosted by UAA’s Business Enterprise Institute. The Alaska SBDC helps small businesses grow through its online resources and business management expertise. The AI Resource Program—the first of its kind when it launched last spring—is a bold augmentation of the Alaska SBDC’s ever-expanding offerings.

The AI Resource Program focuses on empowering organizations and communities by making AI accessible, fostering innovation, and encouraging collaboration. Its mission is to enhance efficiency, resilience, and economic growth while ensuring inclusivity and adherence to ethical practices.

“The program addresses the growing need for small businesses to understand and utilize cutting-edge technology to stay ahead of the competition, especially the larger box stores and online retailers,” Machuca says. “By creating a series of GPTs [generative pre-trained transformers] that can fill workforce gaps, improve market research, grow online marketing, and support the business owner, we can help clients make the most of the opportunities that generative AI creates.”

According to Machuca, the Alaska SBDC has consistently demonstrated its forward-thinking approach by embracing new technologies that benefit the state’s business community. This longstanding commitment to innovation and small business support naturally led to the creation of the AI Resource Program. “By recognizing the transformative potential of artificial intelligence early on, the program now serves as a crucial bridge between cutting-edge technological possibilities and practical business applications, equipping Alaska’s organizations with the tools and knowledge they need to thrive in an increasingly dynamic, technology-driven world,” he says.