Mason SBDC: Partner Event: AI is Amplifying Business Risk
Tuesday, November 17, 2026 (10:00 AM - 11:00 AM) (EST)
Description
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What Small Business Owners Need to Know About AI-Enabled Cyber Threats, Practical Safeguards, and Smarter Use of AI
Session Description
Artificial intelligence is changing how businesses operate—and how cyber threats evolve.
Recent AI-enabled cyber incidents have generated dramatic headlines and predictions. Separating meaningful risk from hype can be difficult, especially when unfamiliar terminology and portrayals of “rogue” AI suggest human-like intent or independent thought. AI can generate outputs that resemble human reasoning and communication, but it does not possess understanding, awareness, or intent.
This webinar cuts through the AI mystique to help decision-makers and system users make informed choices about cybersecurity and the use of AI.
We will examine recent AI-related cyber incidents, explain why AI can introduce unexpected risks into everyday business operations, and identify essential cybersecurity measures that reduce exposure to AI-enabled threats and support recovery when incidents occur. We will also consider how cyber risk should shape decisions about where, when, and how AI is used across the organization.
What This Session Covers
- How AI is changing the cyber-threat landscape
- What recent AI-related cyber incidents reveal about business risk
- How to separate real AI cybersecurity concerns from hype and confusing terminology
- Why AI can introduce unexpected risks into everyday business operations
- Cybersecurity measures that reduce exposure to AI-enabled threats and support recovery
- How cyber risk should shape decisions about where, when, and how to use AI
Learning Objectives
Participants will be better able to:
- Assess the business significance of recent AI-related cyber incidents
- Distinguish meaningful AI cybersecurity concerns from hype and confusing terminology
- Recognize how AI can introduce or amplify cyber risk in everyday business operations
- Identify cybersecurity measures that reduce exposure to AI-enabled threats and support recovery
- Apply cyber-risk considerations when deciding where, when, and how to use AI
Target Audience
Small business owners, managers, entrepreneurs, and professionals who are using AI, considering AI tools, or trying to understand what recent AI and cybersecurity developments may mean for their businesses.
The session is also relevant for organizations that rely on outside technology providers, cloud services, consultants, suppliers, or other third parties as part of their operations.
No technical background or previous experience using AI tools is required.
Participants may already be using AI, evaluating it for future use, or seeking a clearer understanding of the risks that should inform decisions about whether and how AI is used within the business.
Format & Cost
- Live online webinar
- Approximately 60 minutes, including time for questions
- No technical preparation required
- No cost to attend, thanks to support from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), the Small Business Development Center (SBDC), and participating local partners
Speakers
Dr. Teresa Piliouras - CEO and Founder, Technical Consulting & Research, Inc.. Dr. Piliouras is an IT consultant, educator, inventor, and author. She brings expertise in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and compliance, quality management, and operations research. Her patented innovations include technologies for identity verification, fraud detection, privacy-preserving data collection and analysis, anonymous online interactions, and access control for digital content.
Steffi Crasto - Training Specialist, Technical Consulting & Research, Inc.. Ms. Crasto holds an M.S. in Management of Technology from the NYU Tandon School of Engineering and a B.E. in Information Technology from the University of Mumbai. Her expertise includes learning and development, educational assessment, learning management systems, and data-driven learning analytics, with a focus on making complex technical topics clear and actionable for academic and workforce audiences.
Xinran "Cina" He - Educational Evaluation Intern at Technical Consulting & Research, Inc.. She holds a B.A. in Transformative Educational Studies and Studio Art from Boston College and is completing an M.S.Ed. in Learning Sciences and Technologies at the University of Pennsylvania. Her interests include the ethical integration of AI in higher education, learning-bottleneck analysis, and theory-informed instructional design. She also brings experience in studio art and documentary filmmaking.
Sponsor(s) & Partner(s): Prince William County Department of Economic Development and Tourism & Prince William Chamber of Commerce
Cancellation Policy: Kindly email help@masonsbdc.org (preferred) or call 703-261-4105 to notify the team about cancellations.
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