Small moves or baby steps lower the risk of big setbacks. So, rather than taking out a $2,000 loan for a product launch, start with a “limited-edition product” a small batch, just to see how they sell. If it is a success, then you can see if the loan is worth it. If it flops, then you only lose a little bit of money, and you can likely get that back.

Let’s say a product you launched didn’t sell as much as you expected. This is feedback that something about the product didn’t land well with the people you are trying to serve with this product. Now that you have this feedback, here are some ideas to evaluate the product and how we sell it:

• Change the product to better fit what people want.
• Get creative with how you share about the product with potential buyers, like social media vs flyers or posters.
• Put the product on sale or discount.
• Create samples of your product for people to try before committing to purchase.

By starting small, we make fewer big mistakes and create a strong foundation to achieve our dream jobs.

Understanding your skill set. Know that there is abundance when we share our skill sets with others and scarcity when we don’t.

Understanding your skills will create confidence in what kind of entrepreneur you are and show you what skills you might want to learn or need to learn to grow your business. Knowing your skills will also show what your role you can and could play in your community. Maybe you are a tea maker, a gardener, or a fantastic hot chocolate maker. Everyone has skills to share. With a diversity of skills represented and celebrated in our communities, we create an abundance that leads to thriving.

A Few Thoughts on Artificial Intelligence

What is AI?

Artificial Intelligence (AI) refers to technology that allows machines to perform tasks that typically require human intelligence. These tasks include learning from data, recognizing patterns, solving problems, creating images and making decisions. From voice assistants to recommendation
systems to chatbots, AI is becoming a part of our everyday lives.

How to use AI responsibly and ethically

Using AI responsibly and ethically means understanding its strengths, limitations, and potential impacts and making decisions that are safe for yourself and others. Here are seven key ways to engage with AI ethically and effectively:

1. Protect your privacy: AI systems often learn from data some of which may be sensitive. Always avoid sharing personal
   information like your full name, address, passwords, or financial details when interacting with AI tools. Treat AI the same way you would treat any unknown person online.
2. Watch for Bias: AI can reflect or even amplify the biases found in its training data. This means it might produce results that are unfair or inaccurate, especially regarding race, gender, culture, or socioeconomic status. Use critical thinking and don’t accept AI-generated content as automatically objective or neutral truth.
3. Fact-check the information: AI can make mistakes or generate false or outdated information. Always verify important facts from reliable sources, especially when using AI for research, schoolwork, or decision-making. It’simportant to understand that AI isn’t as smart as companies often make it seem, because overhyping its capabilities can lead to misplaced trust, unrealistic expectations, and potential misuse. When people believe AI is nearly human-level or fully autonomous, they may rely on it in critical situations—like healthcare, legal decisions, or education—without proper oversight. This gap between marketing and reality can also obscure real risks, such as bias, lack of transparency,
   or data privacy concerns. Honest communication about AI’s limitations is essential to ensure it’s used safely, ethically, and effectively.
4. Respect creativity and originality:  AI can help spark ideas or create content, but it should not replace human creativity. Use it as a tool to support your thinking and spark ideas, not as a substitute for your own effort or originality.
5. Be aware of environmental impact: Training and running large AI models use significant computing power, which can consume a lot of energy. As with any technology, there’s an environmental cost. Being mindful of how often and how intensively we use AI tools in every day life can help reduce our digital, environmental footprint.
6. Understand AI is a tool – not a replacement for real human interaction: AI can support our work and learning, but it doesn’t replace human skills, empathy, or judgment. It’s there to enhance what we do, not to do everything for us. The includes seeking therapeutic support. AI cannot and should not be used to replace interactions with a real mental health therapist or counselor.
7. Stay Informed: Technology is constantly evolving. What’s true about AI today will likely change tomorrow. Staying updated on how AI works, where it’s used, and what its risks and benefits are can help you use it more wisely.

Concluding thoughts on AI

AI is a powerful and exciting tool. By being thoughtful about how we use AI, protecting our privacy, questioning results, and staying informed, we can make sure AI is used in a way that benefits everyone now and in the future.

Learn More from these additional resource websites:

Artificial Intelligence Ethicology

How to AI ethically in a classroom

Should we let students use ChatGPT?

Check what you learned

Welcome to our Young Entrepreneur Academy unit assessment tool. At the conclusion of each training unit, this tool is available to you to help you practice what you learn.  You can pause and exit at any time and take the assessment as many times as you want. We don’t collect personal information nor do we use or show your name. Any data we do collect is anonymous and will be used to improve the curriculum. Your anonymous responses may be subject to public disclosure under RCW 42.56.

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