Coffee Chats - People-Centered AI: Boosting Productivity Without Replacing Jobs

Part of Economic Alliance Snohomish County's monthly Coffee Chats series, bringing you updates on relevant topics over your morning coffee.

Join Economic Alliance Snohomish County (EASC) for People-Centered AI: Boosting Productivity Without Replacing Jobs, part of our Coffee Chats series, in partnership with 425 Business, on Tuesday, October 13 from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. via Zoom.

Artificial intelligence is rapidly changing how businesses operate, compete, and prepare for the future. From streamlining everyday workflows and reducing administrative burden to supporting better decision-making, marketing, and new opportunities for innovation, organizations of all sizes are exploring how AI can strengthen their work—and what those changes mean for the people behind it.

Join EASC for a timely conversation exploring how businesses and workers can navigate AI adoption in practical, responsible, and people-centered ways. Rather than focusing on automation for its own sake, the discussion will examine how organizations can identify meaningful applications for AI, build the skills needed to use emerging tools effectively, and approach innovation in ways that strengthen both business and workforce capacity.

Meet Our Panelists

Amy Paquette | Data Analytics Program Manager, Northwest Innovation Resource Center (NWIRC)
Amy brings a regional innovation and business-support perspective to the conversation. NWIRC works with entrepreneurs, small businesses, and industries across Northwest Washington to explore and apply emerging technologies, including AI, while building the skills and resources needed to remain competitive in a changing economy.

Randa Minkarah | Chief Operating Executive, Washington Technology Industry Association (WTIA)
Randa brings a statewide technology and innovation perspective, helping connect companies, founders, and leaders across Washington’s technology ecosystem. Through WTIA’s work supporting businesses ranging from early-stage startups to established technology companies, she brings insight into how AI is influencing innovation, business growth, and the evolving technology landscape.

Matt Cail | Founder, Super Charge Marketing
Matt brings a practical small-business and marketing perspective to the conversation, with insight into how AI tools can be incorporated into everyday workflows, communications, content, and marketing strategy. His perspective will help connect the broader conversation around AI adoption to tangible ways businesses can use emerging tools to save time, expand capacity, and work more efficiently.

Moderated by Mark Johnson | Washington APEX Accelerator

Together, the panel will explore questions around practical AI adoption, workforce readiness, upskilling, responsible implementation, and how businesses can move from simply experimenting with AI to identifying applications that create meaningful value.

Attendees will gain insight into how thoughtful AI integration can help organizations improve efficiency, reduce administrative burden, strengthen employee capacity, and support innovation and long-term competitiveness. The conversation will also consider what businesses and workers need to successfully adapt as AI tools continue to evolve.

This session is ideal for employers, small business owners, entrepreneurs, HR and operations leaders, technology professionals, workforce and education partners, and community stakeholders interested in understanding how AI can support both business growth and workforce resilience.

Free to attend | Registration required to receive Zoom link

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