Artificial intelligence (AI) should be viewed as a tool for strengthening entrepreneurship rather than replacing human creativity and critical thinking, the Global Director of Social Impact at UPS, La’Kerri Jackson, has said.

Speaking at the opening of a two-day entrepreneurship workshop in Accra on Thursday, Ms Jackson encouraged business owners to embrace AI as a practical tool for improving productivity while continuing to rely on their knowledge, experience and innovation.

The workshop, organised by the International Trade Centre’s (ITC) SheTrades Initiative in partnership with UPS, Visa and the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA), has brought together 200 established and aspiring Ghanaian entrepreneurs.

It is designed to build participants’ skills in artificial intelligence, digital payments, logistics, marketing and access to finance.

According to Ms Jackson, entrepreneurs worldwide face similar challenges, particularly limited access to capital and export opportunities. She said this made collaboration between development partners and the private sector essential.

“There are many challenges that entrepreneurs and small businesses face, from exporting challenges to the lack of access to capital. It’s not just specific to Ghana; it’s all over the globe,” she said.

She noted that UPS works with organisations worldwide to help entrepreneurs overcome these barriers through training, mentorship and access to business support networks.

Among the partnerships she highlighted were collaborations with Opportunity International to provide interest-free, collateral-free microloans; the Fearless Fund to support business growth; and the International Trade Centre to equip entrepreneurs with practical skills and resources.

A key focus of the Accra workshop is helping small business owners understand how AI can be applied to their daily operations without requiring advanced technical expertise.

Ms Jackson said many entrepreneurs already had access to free digital tools that could help improve their businesses.

“It’s not as hard as we think it is. There are practical tools available through platforms like WhatsApp and Instagram for marketing, creating flyers and promoting businesses without investing a lot of money,” she said.

She, however, cautioned entrepreneurs against becoming overly dependent on AI, stressing that technology should complement, rather than replace, human judgement.

“The angle that people should take is that AI is a thought-leadership partner. You are the brands. You have the intellect. You have the intellectual property,” she said.

“There is a danger in becoming so dependent on it, but everybody has to exercise discipline and continue to lean on their own intellect.”

Also addressing participants, UPS Foundation Manager Bassey Anari challenged entrepreneurs to translate the lessons from the workshop into practical business actions.

He observed that although many entrepreneurs enthusiastically participated in training programmes, only a few went on to implement what they had learnt.