Codefi’s AI Industry Nights connect local businesses with practical tools
FOX23 News at 9 p.m.
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KBSI) — From planning renovations to helping clients picture a finished space, real estate professionals are exploring how artificial intelligence can fit into their daily work.
Codefi’s AI Industry Night on Wednesday focused on real estate, giving attendees a chance to hear practical examples from presenters and ask questions about using the technology in their own businesses.
Cara Dirnberger, Codefi’s director of AI programs and workforce innovation, said the monthly series grew out of requests for guidance from businesses across southeast Missouri.
“We were seeing a need in our local southeast Missouri area where different industries were needing advice on the AI and how they can implement it into their day to day workflow and to work faster and be more productive,” Dirnberger said. “So we started AI industry nights.”
One example presenters discussed involved helping clients visualize a finished space. Professionals can enter prompts into an AI chat tool to generate images showing how a room could look furnished or decorated, giving clients a way to communicate and explore their ideas.
The discussion also covered renovation planning. One attendee asked how information gathered about a renovation could be used to develop a scope of work, bringing the conversation to how AI fits into an actual project.
Dirnberger said she hopes participants leave with a better understanding of how the technology could support their work and expand what they can do in their current roles.
Codefi selects a different industry each month based on needs identified in the region. Dirnberger said the organization has planned a schedule for the next year, with fields such as construction, manufacturing and real estate among its areas of focus.
People outside the featured industry are also encouraged to attend because lessons can apply across different types of work, she said.
For those hesitant to try AI, Dirnberger encourages them to start by listening to professionals explain how they use it.
“I would say come out and just listen,” Dirnberger said. “I think just hearing how industry professionals are, are sharing how they’re using it. It breaks it down to where it’s not so scary and you get to see all the benefits of it.”
She said the sessions are designed to welcome beginners and give participants opportunities to discuss concerns, ask questions and work through challenges.
