Somerset County Businesses Pack the House for a No-Nonsense AI Bootcamp

This week, the Somerset County Business Partnership hosted a forward-thinking discussion on artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and the evolving tech needs of modern workplaces. Three industry experts — Bill Blum of Alpine Business Systems, Mike Bloomfield of Tekie Geek, and attorney David Singer of Porzio, Bromberg & Newman — shared insights on how businesses can use AI responsibly without sacrificing the human connection that keeps organizations strong.

Security First: Clean Data, Smart AI

Bill Blum emphasized that a secure network and well-managed internal files remain the backbone of business growth. No matter how advanced AI becomes, he noted, nothing replaces human empathy — especially when interacting with customers or clients. Blum also reminded attendees that AI is only as effective as the prompts it receives; vague questions lead to vague answers.

Chatbots Are Evolving — But Humans Still Lead

Mike Bloomfield offered a practical look at how companies can test and implement chatbots. Before installing any automated assistant, he advised organizations to clearly define the bot’s role, task, and output format. Guardrails and live human monitoring are essential so staff can step in when needed. Bloomfield also stressed ongoing editing of chatbot responses to keep them accurate as business needs change.

Legal & Data Protection: What Businesses Should Know

Attorney David Singer addressed the legal side of AI use. With the rise of open AI tools, he warned of increased risks around misinformation and privacy. For organizations that handle sensitive data, he recommends exploring private or custom-built AI environments with strict safeguards. AI works well for general FAQs, policy lookups, or internal administrative tasks — but should never replace genuine human interaction. Singer also offered to connect attendees with IT experts who specialize in secure API protocols and data protection.

Key Takeaways for Somerset County Businesses

• Private AI platforms require paid, secure environments.

• Open AI tools can be beneficial, but feed into broader machine-learning systems.

• Chatbots can streamline routine inquiries when designed thoughtfully.

• Human-centered work should stay human — especially when empathy matters.

• Inaccurate or “dirty” data can lead to misleading AI results.

• ChatGPT remains the most advanced open AI tool, but the long-term industry leader is still emerging.

• For creative uses such as music generation, Suno is currently setting the pace.

As AI continues to shape the way businesses operate, Somerset County companies are asking the right questions: How do we innovate responsibly? How do we protect our data? And most importantly — how do we ensure technology enhances, rather than replaces, human connection?

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