With Alanna Wilcox, Jonathan Shroyer, Theresa Benson, and Andrea Jones

Moderated by Michele Costa

AI is reshaping craft business and brand operations, but the maker community is pushing back hard, and for real reasons. This panel cuts through both the hype and the fear to give craft business owners a practical framework to decide if using AI works for them. 

We will discuss: Where does AI genuinely help (marketing busywork - non-creative, customer service, inventory)?  Where does it cause harm (pattern fraud, creative theft, eroding trust)?  And how do you build a business that uses AI as a business tool without alienating the very community you serve? Panelists bring real experience from inside the crafts world and won't pretend the conversation is simple. This is a complex topic that deserves discussion and attention.