The Role of AI in the Great Wealth Transfer

Philadelphia is a city built on the grit of family-owned businesses and generational industry. Today, we are entering the "Great Wealth Transfer," where an estimated $84 trillion is shifting to a new generation. In our region, thousands of these businesses face a "Silver Tsunami" as owners retire without a digital succession plan. If their institutional knowledge isn't captured, these local pillars risk closing their doors forever.

This session explores the critical role of AI as a tool for economic continuity. We will examine how emerging AI technologies can be used to archive "tribal knowledge" and modernize legacy workflows before a business changes hands. The goal is to provide a roadmap for the next generation of Philadelphia entrepreneurs to acquire, stabilize, and scale historic local companies.

This event bridges the gap between high-level AI development and the practical survival of Main Street. We are moving beyond the hype of chatbots to discuss AI as a foundational layer for business succession. By focusing on how tech-enablement prevents job loss and preserves local industry, we are ensuring that Philadelphia's entrepreneurial legacy remains competitive in a digital-first global economy.