When Brianna Sylver, founder and president of Sylver Consulting, first encountered artificial intelligence, it was out of simple curiosity. Two years ago, at a work conference, she was introduced to ChatGPT—a moment that sparked a journey into the evolving world of AI for her Evanston-based firm. "We typically have a recruitment phase, a data collection phase, analysis, synthesis, etc.," Sylver explained, describing the intricate workflow her 14-member team follows. "We have integrated AI at each of those areas in distinct ways." For Sylver and many other small business leaders, AI has shifted from a novelty to an essential tool, woven into the fabric of daily operations.
This transformation is far from isolated. According to a 2025 report by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, 58% of small businesses surveyed now use AI products, marking an 18% increase from the previous year. The trend is even more pronounced in Illinois, where 67% of small businesses have adopted AI platforms. In Evanston, businesses of all stripes are riding this wave. Consulting firms like Sylver’s leverage AI to research potential buying committees, marketing agencies generate social media content with AI’s help, and realtors utilize the technology to survey local demographics before making big decisions.
Reed Hansen, chief growth officer at MarketSurge, has seen firsthand how AI can extend a company’s reach. His 12-person marketing company has gradually woven AI into its operations, allowing them to take on more clients without expanding the payroll. "Over time, AI got better and better," Hansen said. "You can include more customization, and you can get better quality, more human-sounding content. It really continues to improve every day." Hansen and his team now rely on over eight AI platforms for both internal and external work, including Jasper for content generation and automation, ChatGPT for additional support, and specialized tools like Suno and Descript for audio and video content. Externally, MarketSurge even employs an AI voice agent trained on the company’s website to answer client inquiries in real time.
Yet, for all the enthusiasm, there’s a clear recognition of AI’s boundaries. As Sylver put it, "I use it to help and assist, but in terms of dumping data and saying, write the report for me—no." She encourages her team to use AI as a brainstorming partner, ensuring all possible options are considered, but stops short of letting the technology take over core responsibilities. "I wouldn’t use it to write a report fully. I wouldn’t use it to write a discussion guide. I wouldn’t use it to find a recruitment screener fully," she said. It’s a sentiment echoed by Hansen, who, despite using platforms like HeyGen to create AI avatars that mimic his voice and mannerisms for advertising, is adamant about maintaining a human touch. "A tool that doesn’t have some AI does feel a little incomplete," he admitted, but quickly added, "A business is always going to need a little bit of human touch. And it’s going to need a face, a voice that is human and real, and stutters and pauses and says ‘ahs’ and ‘ums.’ I think there are people who do want to connect with a human."
Not all business owners are as eager to embrace AI in every facet of their work. Allie Payne, an Evanston realtor with more than 25 years of experience, recently launched her own real estate company, Allie Payne Group. With a small team of five, Payne has begun to cautiously incorporate AI platforms into her workflow. However, she remains wary of overreliance on automation. "I’m a little reluctant to use it a lot because I think it keeps you from thinking for yourself," Payne said. "But at the same time, it also covers all the bases. You may only think of the general direction, but this gives you all the details, and that’s really helpful." Payne’s approach reflects a broader tension felt by many professionals: balancing the efficiency and thoroughness AI offers with the risk of losing the uniquely human spark that drives innovation and connection.
The growing presence of AI isn’t limited to business. In the world of science and healthcare, artificial intelligence is making waves as a powerful tool for research and innovation. At the University of Texas at San Antonio, the MATRIX AI Consortium for Human Well-being is at the forefront of this movement. In a recent episode of the Launchpad podcast, produced by UT San Antonio’s Office of University Strategic Communications, host John Elizondo sat down with three key members of MATRIX: Amina Qutub, PhD, and Mark Goldberg, MD—who lead the consortium’s research on augmenting human capabilities—and Amanda Fernandez, PhD, the head of machine learning and deployment.
The conversation ranged from advice for students interested in AI careers to the concrete ways the technology is improving trauma care and stroke management. The MATRIX team emphasized that while AI holds tremendous promise, it must be secure, trustworthy, and ultimately beneficial for the human experience. "We have to make sure these systems are built with people in mind," Goldberg noted during the discussion. The team’s work aims to build smarter AI that can translate complex knowledge for people of all skill sets, ensuring that the benefits of these innovations are accessible to everyone.
As AI becomes increasingly embedded in both business and scientific research, the need for responsible integration is clear. The experts at MATRIX are guiding the next generation of AI professionals, stressing ethics and the importance of building systems that enhance, rather than replace, human capability. Their work—available for listeners on platforms like Apple, Spotify, SoundCloud, and YouTube—offers a window into the future of AI as a collaborative partner in human progress.
Back in Evanston, the stories of Sylver, Hansen, and Payne underscore the real-world complexities of this technological shift. Each business finds its own balance, using AI to streamline operations, enhance creativity, and reach new audiences, while remaining mindful of the value of human insight and connection. The statistics tell a story of rapid adoption—an 18% jump in AI use among small businesses nationwide in just one year, and even higher rates in Illinois—but the lived experiences reveal a more nuanced picture. AI is a tool, not a panacea, and its greatest promise lies in its ability to augment, not replace, the people who wield it.
Whether in the boardrooms of Evanston or the research labs of San Antonio, one thing is certain: the future of AI will be shaped by those who use it thoughtfully, blending technological prowess with the irreplaceable qualities that make us human.
