Rachana Hosts Diocesan-Level AI Training Programme for Entrepreneurs
Mangaluru: Rachana, the Catholic Chamber of Commerce and Industry, convened a diocesan-level training programme centered on integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) into business operations. The event took place on March 28 at St. Sebastian Parish Hall, Bendur, to equip local business leaders with the knowledge necessary to leverage AI for business expansion and enhanced operational efficiency.
Rachana President Roy Castelino inaugurated the proceedings by welcoming attendees and introducing the programme’s speakers. He highlighted the initiative’s core objective: to furnish participants with a comprehensive understanding of AI technology and its potential applications in fostering business growth and streamlining processes.
Leo Victor Zalki, an AI strategist and Director of Oxidane Enviro LLP, delivered a discourse on the multifaceted advantages of artificial intelligence, coupled with the imperative for its responsible use. He cautioned attendees about data privacy concerns, emphasizing that AI’s functionality depends on collecting and analyzing user data. Zalki cited the exponential growth of platforms like ChatGPT as tangible evidence of AI’s burgeoning prominence.
Furthermore, he encouraged the participants to exercise prudence in their engagement with digital tools and to maintain vigilance against the pervasive threat of cyber fraud and scams.
In addition to explaining AI’s broader implications, Zalki presented a structured six-step prompt checklist—comprising Persona, Task, Context, Examples, Format, and Tone—asserting that meticulously formulating effective prompts is paramount to eliciting precise and valuable outputs from AI tools. The presentation included an interactive quiz session, with prizes awarded to the participants who demonstrated superior comprehension of the material.
Dr. Fr Sudeep Paul, MSFS, Regional Secretary for Social Communications and Director of Sandesha Foundation, addressed the audience on AI’s fundamental principles, the critical importance of cybersecurity protocols, and the ethical considerations inherent in its application. He observed that artificial intelligence, formerly the exclusive purview of large corporations, is now readily accessible and demonstrably advantageous for small businesses and individual entrepreneurs alike.
“Today, AI tools are cloud-based, affordable, and accessible through smartphones and laptops. Entrepreneurs can use AI as a digital assistant for marketing, administration, customer service, and data analysis,” he stated, emphasizing the transformative potential of these technologies.
Dr. Fr Paul clarified that AI’s intention is not to replace entrepreneurs but rather to augment their efficacy by supporting the diverse roles they fulfill within their respective business ventures.
The programme featured a dedicated question-and-answer segment, allowing participants to seek clarification on specific points of interest and engage with the speakers. Later, e-commerce entrepreneur Arun Lobo delivered a PowerPoint presentation illustrating a practical business application of AI technology, providing a tangible example of its real-world utility.
Rachana Secretary Alron Rodrigues formally concluded the event with a vote of thanks, expressing gratitude to the speakers, organizers, and attendees for their contributions to the programme’s success.