DECATUR, Ill. — MillikinWORKS, Millikin University's workforce development initiative, and the Decatur Regional Chamber of Commerce are partnering to launch AI for Business, a pilot workshop series beginning Thursday, Oct. 22. The series gives local business owners, managers and professionals hands-on experience using artificial intelligence in their daily work, with a focus on doing so responsibly.
Participants will build practical AI skills they can apply right away. They will also learn to use AI for marketing, planning, research, and financial decisions, and to protect their organizations and data while doing it. No prior AI experience is needed.
"Professionals keep hearing that they need to use AI, but very few have had a chance to try it with someone guiding them," said Julienne Shields, director of the Center for Entrepreneurship at Millikin's Tabor School of Business. "This series is about demystifying AI, learning what works for your business and profession, and leaving with skills you can use tomorrow."
Each session is led by Millikin faculty and regional experts, and will be held at either the Decatur Public Library or Millikin University:
- Oct. 22: AI for Business Essentials with Julienne Shields
- Nov. 3: AI for Marketing, Content & Design with Cassie Yoder
- Nov. 19: AI for Strategic Planning & Customer Discovery with John Palmer
- Dec. 3: AI Safety & Cybersecurity with RJ Podeschi
- Dec. 17: AI for Financial Analysis & Decision Making with Jay Sexton
All sessions run from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. and include significant time for Q&A. Participants may attend a single session or the full series. Those who attend all five will earn a joint Certificate of Completion from Millikin University and the Decatur Regional Chamber of Commerce.
"At the Tabor School of Business, we teach people to balance technology with the human side of business: communication, judgment, and relationships," said RJ Podeschi, dean of the Tabor School of Business. "This series brings that balance to Decatur's working professionals, and it shows that Tabor is a resource for learners at every stage, from undergraduates to seasoned executives."
“Partnerships like this allow us to connect the expertise of Millikin University with the needs of our business community,” said Mirinda Rothrock, President of the Decatur Regional Chamber of Commerce. “AI is changing how organizations operate, compete, and make decisions. Our role is to help businesses understand what those changes mean, connect them with the right resources, and provide practical opportunities to build the skills they need to remain competitive. This series is an example of what we can accomplish when education and business work together.”
Attendees should bring a laptop to each session. Chamber members pay $50 per session or $250 for the full series. Non-member pricing is $100 per session or $500 for the full series. Registration is open at https://business.decaturchamber.com/events/details/ai-for-business-workshop-series-6031.
About MillikinWORKS
MillikinWORKS (Workforce Optimization and Reinvention through Key Skills) is Millikin University's workforce retraining and executive education initiative. It connects working professionals and employers with practical, career-ready learning.
About the Decatur Regional Chamber of Commerce
The Decatur Regional Chamber of Commerce was chartered on July 3, 1903, but traces its roots back to the 1887 formation of the Decatur Board of Trade. The DRCC is recognized as the second oldest Chamber of Commerce in the state of Illinois. The Chamber’s mission is to be a pro-business network providing service, political advocacy, and leadership to strengthen education, community image, and local businesses. The Decatur Regional Chamber of Commerce is the Voice of Business promoting opportunity, growth, and prosperity in local commerce.
