Artificial intelligence is making it easier than ever for people to launch businesses, but Tulsa experts say technology alone is not enough to build a company that lasts.
Reagan Renfroe, co-founder of Tulsa-based Start-Suite, and Tracy Poole, founder of 46 Capital, discussed how AI is changing entrepreneurship and where business owners should be cautious.
How is AI speeding up business operations?
Renfroe said AI tools are rapidly advancing and helping companies reduce time spent on repetitive work.
He said tasks that once took several employees or an entire workday can now be completed much faster with AI-powered tools.
Renfroe said that while AI can help entrepreneurs get started, business owners still need to understand how a company operates and where AI best fits into those operations.
Investors looking beyond polished presentations
Poole said AI has made it easier for startups to create polished products and presentations quickly, but appearances do not always translate into long-term success.
As a venture capitalist, Poole said his job is to identify businesses that are solving real problems in scalable ways rather than simply using AI because it is popular.
Human judgment still matters
Both guests said human oversight remains important as AI tools become more common in business operations.
Poole said experienced investors and business leaders still rely heavily on personal evaluation when deciding whether a company has long-term potential.
Renfroe added that some people may not fully understand AI’s capabilities and should be thoughtful about how they use the technology while building a business plan.
Advice for future entrepreneurs
Poole encouraged people interested in starting a business to focus first on solving a real problem and understanding market demand before turning to AI tools.
He said successful companies are typically built around products or services people genuinely need.
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Editor’s note: AI tools were used to assist with editing and formatting this story. A human journalist reviewed the content before publication.
