AI Resources
Less AI noise. More AI at work.
Everyone’s talking about AI. The BNP will help you actually put it to work in your business, quickly: AI agents inside your organization that free up your people’s time and make work cheaper to get done. We’re doing it in our own operation first, with a partner right here in Western New York. For Builder members and above, much of it is part of your membership.
Wherever you are with AI, start here.
The BNP grows private investment and jobs in Buffalo Niagara. Helping our employers put AI to work is part of that: when businesses here get more done with the people they have, they compete, grow and hire here.
- Learn: Small Business B(AI)sics, free hands-on AI training from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and Google. Tue, Nov 10.
- See it: AI Implementation Symposium, a working session on putting AI to work in your business, at the Golisano Institute. Tue, Dec 1.
- Do it: The member AI program, a free discovery call, then a consultation that maps where AI agents take work off your team’s plate.
- Proof: How we’re doing it, every step of our own process, and what we’re learning.
We’re customer #1. Here’s our process.
This year, more than 500 people registered for our Accelerate AI events, starting with 43North in June. The question we kept hearing was the one we had ourselves: where does AI actually fit? So we’re going through it as a customer before asking anyone else to. This is the play-by-play, updated as we go.
- 2 AI employees planned: one for Member Matchmaking, one for billing follow-up
- ~24 hours a week of staff time we expect to hand to them
- ~1,300 members Member Matchmaking will cover
- $105K+ what the two roles would cost to hire as staff
August 2026 · Get introduced to a local partner
One of our members introduced us to Arcovo, an AI company right here in Western New York. A first conversation showed us where AI could realistically help. What we learned: our best lead came from a member. That’s what a business network is for.
September 11 · Find where the time goes
In a working session, we walked through how our people actually spend their days. Two jobs stood out: matching members for introductions took about 40% of one person’s week, and billing follow-up took about 20% of another’s. What we learned: count the hours before you touch any technology. That number is how you’ll know it worked.
September 28 · Get the blueprint, pick two jobs
Arcovo came back with a blueprint for our operation: the specific roles, workflows and opportunities. We picked the two where AI takes the most off our team’s plate. What we learned: pick two jobs, not ten. Each of ours has an hour count we can check.
Now · Finalize the plan
Our leadership team is taking a hard look at what we’d actually be bringing in: automation for two specific jobs, powered by AI, with access scoped tightly and our data kept where it belongs. We’re finalizing the agreement now, and we’re opening the same process to members at the same time. What we learned: this isn’t an AI let loose in your systems. It’s focused automation for work you already do.
Tue, Nov 10 · Small Business B(AI)sics
Free, practical AI training for small business owners and their teams, brought to Buffalo Niagara by the BNP with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation and Google. No experience needed.
Tuesday, Nov 10 · 9:30–11:30 AM · BNP @ the cobblestone, 79 Perry St., Buffalo
Tue, Dec 1 · AI Implementation Symposium
A working session on putting AI to work in your business, with Arcovo. Hear how we’re putting AI to work in our own operation. Open to members and non-members.
Tuesday, Dec 1 · 8 AM to noon · Golisano Institute, 125 Washington Ave., Buffalo
Your membership covers most of it.
| AI Workforce Consultation | $1,500 |
| Covered by your BNP membership | −$750 |
| BNP partner discount from Arcovo | −$250 |
| Member price | $500 |
Credits toward implementation if you go ahead. For Builder members and above. BNP Pro and Pro Free members can upgrade to unlock it.
It’s the same process we’re going through. Start with a free 45-minute discovery call. If it’s a fit, the consultation maps how your team works today and where AI agents take work off their plate. You keep the plan either way. Our partner, Arcovo, is right here in Western New York, so there’s no out-of-state vendor to deal with.
Get started with AI
Save a Dec 1 seat, book a free discovery call, or both. Our team will follow up within two business days.
Before you sign up
I’m brand new to AI. Where do I start?
Start with the free Small Business B(AI)sics training on Nov 10, then join us Dec 1 to see AI at work in a real business.
Is the discovery call really free?
Yes. 45 minutes, no obligation, no card. You’ll leave with a clearer picture of where AI fits in your business.
I’m not a member. Can I take part?
Yes. Anyone can join the trainings and events and request a discovery call. Member pricing is for Builder members and above, and our membership team can walk you through joining or upgrading.
Is the BNP really going through this?
Yes. We’ve gone through discovery and the blueprint as a customer, and we’re finalizing the agreement now. Every step is documented above.
What does a build cost?
It depends on scope. Your plan states the investment in writing before you commit to anything.
Who is Arcovo?
Arcovo is a Western New York AI company. One of our members introduced us, and they’re the partner we’re working with on our own AI employees.