09.11.2023

Today’s Forecast

98º | Mostly sunny | 10% chance of rain | Sunrise 7:16 a.m. | Sunset 7:44 p.m.

Breaking down the AI race

Navigating the AI race: Thoughts from Vantage Bank President and CEO Jeff Sinnott

Presented by an SATXtoday Partner

a woman stands in a shadow with multi-colored coding numbers projected on her

AI has come a long way from its early days of decision trees and rudimentary algorithms. | Photo via Pexels

Artificial intelligence has quickly become a game-changer for small businesses — especially as the paths between AI and commerce continue to converge. According to Vantage Bank’s President and CEO Jeff Sinnott, the future of AI in business will be determined through “the intense competition among tech giants and startups. It’s a question of who will develop the next cutting-edge AI solution that will continue to drive integration.”

AI: The last 10 years

AI has come a long way from its early days. Modern apps run laps around their earlier versions, and the last few years have brought remarkable progress (we’re looking at you, Chat GPT).

AI can easily complete complex tasks, like leveraging global datasets to provide near-instant (and objective) solutions for the user. Businesses right here in San Antonio are already using AI in various ways, from virtual assistants like Siri to language models like Chat GPT to write emails, manage datasets, and more.

AI’s future looks promising, especially when it comes to commercial and customer applications: It has the potential to help streamline customer risk mitigation, and even prevent fraud. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t challenges.

“A balanced regulatory framework is essential to encourage innovation and prevent misuse,” explains Sinnott.

What does this mean for San Antonio?

Navigating the impact of AI on San Antonio’s workforce is an exercise in embracing uncertainty. Preparation, says Sinnott, is key. “Organizations must foster an adaptable and open mindset among employees.”

AI implementation is prominent in industries like banking, primarily due to their high regulatory requirements and security demands. Partnering with a bank that uses AI for fraud detection and customer behavior analysis can:

Provide personalized services
Improve decision-making
Increase efficiency

All of which help team members focus on what’s important: Building personal relationships between the client and the bank.

Embracing AI and staying adaptable will open doors of opportunity for consumers and small businesses alike. Sinnott believes the AI race is officially on, and those who embrace change and innovation will thrive in the AI-driven future.

Learn more about Vantage Bank

Asked

How do you feel about AI?

A. I’m all for it — bring it on!
B. Optimistic, but cautious
C. I don’t support it — the risks are too great
D. Undecided

We're curious

Events

Monday, Sept. 11

San Antonio 110 9/11 Memorial Climb | Monday, Sept. 11 | 6 a.m. | Tower of the Americas, 739 East César E. Chávez Blvd., San Antonio | Watch local law enforcement climb the stairs of the tower to pay tribute to fallen officers and EMS personnel.
Track Shack and Field Social Run | Monday, Sept. 11 | 6:30 p.m. | Shake Shack Brackenridge, 3003 Broadway, San Antonio | Free | Join Fleet Feet San Antonio for a three mile run and enjoy a free post-run drink from Shake Shack.

Tuesday, Sept. 12

Burger Nights | Tuesday, Sept. 12 | 5-9 p.m. | The Hayden, 4025 Broadway St., San Antonio | Free | Grab today’s special deal, a burger + fries, and stay for a $5 bourbon cocktail.
San Antonio FC vs. C.D. Tapatío | Tuesday, Sept. 12 | 7:30 p.m. | Toyota Field, 5106 David Edwards Dr., San Antonio | $15-$150 | Watch the city’s soccer club go against C.D Tapatío.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Civic

City officials have canceled plans to renovate the pool at Palo Alto College. They will re-appropriate the $15.3 million from previous bond funding to demolish the existing structure, and instead build new aquatic + senior centers. Both are expected to open in 2027.

Eat

Bakery Lorraine is celebrating National Honey Month in the sweetest way with its Wildflower Honey Macaron. The bakery is also featuring other honey-infused products including the Cinnamon Roll and Caneles all September long. Stop by its Pearl location for a honey tasting station.

Show

We’re feeling 22. The Paper Tiger is hosting a Taylor Swift and Olivia Rodrigo dance party on Thursday, Oct. 26 complete with a listening party of Swift’s “1989: Taylor’s Version” at midnight. Tickets are $20 and of course come dressed in your Era’s or punk pop best.

Opening

California-based La Michoacana Plus has opened a San Antonio location at 4102 S. New Braunfels Ave. The ice cream shop offers over 100 flavors of paletas and in addition to sweet treats, it also offers a few Fiesta favorites: Hot Cheetos with cheese + elotes.

Plan Ahead

Since we’re talking about Uptown. The Uptown Art Stroll is coming to the Olmos Park Terrace Neighborhood on Saturday, Nov. 4 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 5 from noon to 5 p.m. The free two-day event is open to the public and will feature over 100 local artists.

Concert

🎸 It’s time to rock out — Holiday style

Trans-Siberian Orchestra returns to San Antonio

Are you ready for the Holiday festivities? | Photo by the City of San Antonio

It’s never too early to plan ahead for December. The annual holiday music event of the season is returning to the AT&T Center for one day only on Saturday, Dec. 9.

That’s right, we’re talking about the Trans-Siberian Orchestra. The orchestra’s latest tour, “The Ghosts of Christmas Eve – the Best of TSO & More” will feature a larger and more engaging show.

The rock opera group will perform two shows at the AT&T Center on Saturday, Dec. 9., at 3 p.m. and at 7:30 p.m. Tickets for the general public go on sale Friday, Sept. 15 at 10 a.m. on the AT&T Center’s website.

Pro tip: Snag your tickets during the first week of sales at a discounted price starting at $39 — be quick, these lower priced tickets are limited in quantity.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Nicholas

From the editor

Have y’all seen the TikTok’s of Sabrina Carpenter performing her song “Feather” as the opening act at Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour? She’s a pop princess and well, let me get this song stuck in your head because it’s been stuck in mine for at least a week.

Pro tip: Listen to the song while you clean, it turns into a dance party in no time.

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