Windsor-Essex businesses turning to AI for a digital edge

Joe Klinger, seen on June 27, 2025, says AI has become a handy tool in managing his bicycle shop. (Travis Fortnum/CTV News Windsor)

From bike shops to comedy clubs, small business owners across Windsor-Essex are finding new ways to bring artificial intelligence into their day-to-day operations — and some may be using it without even knowing it.

At Kingsville Cycle Works, Joe Klinger sells, services, and rents bikes and e-bikes.

Recently, he’s found a unique support tool for managing tasks like inventory and program planning — an AI chatbot.

“It’s invaluable, actually,” Klinger said. “Sometimes ideas can take years right, to come together… and all of a sudden it gives you like a full business in moments.”

He said he was introduced to the technology by a friend and started using it casually — even asking it for cucumber salad recipes — before realizing how effective it could be in his business.

“Try it from a personal basis first,” Klinger said.

From there, Klinger leaned on resources offered by the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Centre at Invest WindsorEssex, which hosts AI seminars and one-on-one support sessions for local entrepreneurs.

“A lot of our small business clients… they’re very curious about it,” said Natasha Marar, who manages marketing and entrepreneurship programs at the centre.

She said the organization is working to help business owners incorporate AI tools more intentionally — not just in their marketing, but in automating tasks like generating invoices, responding to client emails and analyzing customer feedback.

“We’re hoping to provide individual guidance and support and implementing these easy to use tools,” Marar said.

She added that many businesses are already using AI-integrated software without realizing it.

“It’s a lot of existing software they’re using that already has AI embedded into it,” she said.

While AI chatbots are among the most common tools being adopted, they’re far from the only ones.

In Windsor, comedy promoter CJ Erwin uses generative AI to design posters and promo materials for shows at Rose City Comedy.

“There’s plug-ins in Photoshop that let you just select pieces and then just generate AI for those pieces,” Erwin said.

He said while generative AI has its critics, it fits naturally with the kind of playful, outlandish content he’s creating.

“It’s silly. It’s not meant to be taken too seriously,” he said. “So no one’s going to complain.”

Back in Kingsville, Klinger said AI is now a regular part of his business planning — and that he’s working on a new project using the technology, though he’s not quite ready to reveal the details.

Invest WindsorEssex is preparing to launch a new Digital Accelerator Program later this summer, aimed at helping even more local business owners assess their digital readiness and begin integrating AI in ways that make sense for them.