Transforming Businesses with AI: Insights from the Washington State Korean Business AI Seminar

On July 17, the Washington State Korean Business AI Seminar concluded at the Seattle Korean Community Center. The event generated enthusiastic interest among attendees. Co-hosted by TecAce—an official partner in Anthropic's partner network—alongside the Greater Seattle Korean Association and the Seattle edition of the Korea Times, the seminar focused on practical AI applications in business.

A Strong Turnout

Registration was initially capped at 50 attendees on a first-come, first-served basis, but slots filled up quickly. Despite some last-minute cancellations, on-site attendance was robust. Including the organizers, about 60 people packed the community center. The attendees represented a diverse mix, from community leaders and computer science professionals to lawyers, insurance agents, real estate experts, self-employed individuals, and small business owners. This gathering illustrated how AI is rapidly becoming integral to the everyday operations of the Korean community.

Despite some cancellations the day before and the day of the event, on-site attendance was strong, and including the organizers, about 60 people packed the community center.

AI Is Not a "Magic Wand" but a "Laundry Paddle"

Han-soo Lee, an executive vice president at TecAce, delivered the first lecture. He explained that AI is evolving beyond a simple "chatbot" that merely answers questions. Instead, it acts as an "agent" that plans and handles tasks on the user's behalf. Repetitive tasks—like organizing receipts, analyzing customer reviews, and drafting responses—can now be delegated to AI.

"AI is not a magic wand that produces results the instant you wish for them—it's a laundry paddle you have to keep beating together with the laundry." — Han-soo Lee, Executive Vice President (TecAce)

Lee emphasized that genuinely useful answers come from providing specific business information. For instance, instead of vaguely asking for marketing methods, you can share sales data and customer feedback. This allows AI to offer concrete suggestions, such as, "Tuesday afternoon sales drop by 34%, so let's offer a coffee-and-dessert set for office workers," or "there are many complaints about parking, so let's create a notice for 30 minutes of free parking."

Rather than debating which AI product is superior, Lee stressed the importance of connecting existing data—like point-of-sale (POS) systems, customer reviews, emails, and calendars—with AI. "The key to AI transformation is not just trying out AI, but connecting it to your own business," he explained.

From Gathering Information to Distributing Content: Automating AI Marketing

Under the theme "AI Marketing in Practice," team lead Ju-hwa Lee introduced an automation process that spans from gathering information to producing and distributing content. Each morning, the system automatically collects industry trends and competitor information, converting it into newsletters, website articles, and social media content, all scheduled for publication.

However, she stressed three principles to follow before trusting AI with your work:

• A human must always give the final approval.

• Do not enter sensitive information, such as customers' personal data.

• Double-check any facts that AI presents.

  
  

Using AI Without a Brand System Is Only Half the Job

Eun-seok Lee, head of the design division, explained that "a brand that exists only in your head is not a system." Consistent design principles are crucial in the age of AI. Without predefined elements like signature colors, fonts, logo usage, and image mood, AI may produce inconsistent results. This inconsistency can undermine trust in your brand.

"In design, consistency is trust," Lee stated. He added that "even if AI produces the output, it is people who set the standards and make the final decision to execute." He noted that 80% of a good result depends on how specifically you prepare your brand and design rules in advance.

Embracing AI for Business Growth

Sam Shim, chairman of the Greater Seattle Korean Association, received loud applause when he emphasized the need to delegate repetitive tasks to AI. "We should now hand over to AI the work we've always been tied up with, and spend the time we save with our families," he said. Yang-jun Hwang, president of the Seattle Korea Times, echoed this sentiment, stating, "This event confirmed that AI is no longer a tool only for large corporations or tech companies, but a practical business tool that every Korean business—restaurants, real estate, insurance, law, accounting, and more—can use." He announced plans for follow-up training due to the attendees' enthusiastic response.

Han-soo Lee, an executive vice president at TecAce who delivered the first lecture, explained that AI is evolving beyond a simple "chatbot" that merely answers questions into an "agent" that plans and handles tasks on the user's behalf.

With TecAce, Find the AI That Fits Your Business

As an official partner in Anthropic's partner network, TecAce plans to continue offering various trainings and seminars. Our goal is to help businesses leverage AI as a genuine growth tool. If you're wondering how to connect and apply AI in your own business, feel free to reach out to TecAce anytime.

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This article was written based on reporting by SeattleN (seattlen.com). Original title: "Seattle Korean Business AI Seminar Draws Full House… 'AI Is Not a Magic Wand but a Laundry Paddle'" (July 20, 2026)