On this week’s free webinar, Dr. Vernon B. Harper Jr., president of California State University, Bakersfield joins SBDC director, Kelly Bearden for a series of questions centered around how Harper sees artificial intelligence shaping the future of local small businesses, healthcare, and agriculture, highlights of the NextTech Kern AI conference, and CSUB’s follow up plan after the conference to ensure the AI ecosystem remains engaged with local industries and entrepreneurs.

Kelly is also joined by Jim Damian, CEO & Principal Consultant at Linean, a local tech company that provides advisory services and AI driven data solutions for small businesses.

This marks the 361st episode of the “Webinar Wednesday” business series that provides news and information helpful to employers and business owners.

The CSU Bakersfield SBDC provides free one-on-one help to small business owners. New and existing businesses can go to www.csubsbdc.com for more information or to sign up to meet with a business advisor at no cost.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 Intro

00:53 What’s up today October 1, 2025

06:18 Poll question #1: “Which area of your business do you see the most significant opportunity for AI?

08:01 Poll question #2: “Have you personally tried using AI tools?”

09:51 Kelly introduces Jim Damian, CEO & founder of Linean https://linean.com/

10:40 Jim begins to speak

18:17 Kelly discusses the LinkedIn Guide to Future-Proofing Your Career https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/linkedin-guide-future-proofing-your-career-what-know-evolving-giyqc/

23:08 Kelly introduces Dr. Vernon Harper, President of California State University Bakersfield https://www.csub.edu/

24:50 Dr. Harper begins to speak

36:46 Capital Corridor – How funding is being affected by AI

41:00 Community Calendar – Tehachapi Mountain AVA Harvest Festival https://allevents.in/tehachapi/100001751253830349?ref=sharer

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