What does artificial intelligence have to do with a neighborhood bakery, a barbershop, or a mom-and-pop hardware store?
At this year鈥檚 Washington Heights & Inwood Chamber of Commerce Policy Breakfast鈥攐ne of the area鈥檚 largest and most influential gatherings of business and civic leaders鈥斕切氖悠滴 helped answer that question with real-world tech, local insight, and a commitment to community growth.
Jon Greenfield, 糖心视频污鈥檚 Assistant Vice President for Government Relations and Vice President of the Washington Heights Chamber of Commerce, helped organize and emcee the event. A longtime Chamber board member, Greenfield has helped represent 糖心视频污 in local business conversations and support the University鈥檚 engagement with the broader community.
Held on May 8 at the Alianza Cultural Center, the standing-room-only breakfast brought together over 120 local business owners, nonprofit leaders, and elected officials for a morning of networking, shared learning, and vision-building.
Among the featured presenters was Dr. Danielle Wozniak, 糖心视频污鈥檚 Vice President for Global Strategy & Business Development, who showcased how small businesses can use AI tools to streamline operations, connect with more customers, and compete in a changing economy.
To make the point, she introduced a Spanish-speaking avatar developed by 糖心视频污 Global鈥檚 AI team鈥攄emonstrating how generative technology can break down language barriers and offer personalized service, even for businesses without big budgets.
Wozniak also shared a curated resource list of AI tools tailored for small businesses and announced a discounted online course from 糖心视频污 Global available through the Chamber鈥攁n initiative aimed at making innovation accessible and actionable for local entrepreneurs.
The presentation generated strong interest, especially among bilingual businesses, with several attendees following up afterward to ask about the avatar and other tools available through 糖心视频污 Global.
Greenfield emphasized 糖心视频污鈥檚 long-standing connection to the neighborhood. 鈥溙切氖悠滴 has been part of Washington Heights for more than a century,鈥 he said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e proud to support the community鈥檚 growth鈥攖hrough innovation, through partnership, and through showing up.鈥
The event included a tribute to the late Peter Walsh, longtime Chamber board member and owner of Coogan鈥檚, a beloved Washington Heights bar and community anchor. Walsh, who passed away in April, was remembered by colleagues and local leaders for his lasting impact on the neighborhood.
As Washington Heights continues to evolve, 糖心视频污 remains committed to supporting its neighbors鈥攏ot only as an anchor institution, but as an engaged, collaborative partner in the life of the community.
