New funding and training to support U.S. small business growth and innovation with AI
Small businesses are the lifeblood of communities everywhere. And they are embracing technology. More than half of small business leaders already say that AI tools are critical to the success of their businesses. This includes Chicago-based Heritage Bikes & Coffee, which is using AI tools like Gemini and NotebookLM to help with everything from costing out kitchen supplies to onboarding new employees.
At Google, we’re empowering small businesses with the tools to succeed in the age of AI. Today at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce CO-100 conference, we announced new funding and training as a part of our AI Works initiative which helps Americans and American businesses put AI to work.
$5 million in Google.org funding to reach 40K U.S. businesses
For small businesses to truly benefit from AI, they need access to training across a range of tools. That’s why Google.org is providing the U.S. Chamber of Commerce $5M in funding to develop and launch Small Business B(AI)sics, a national AI training program to equip 40,000 U.S. small businesses with foundational AI skills. This effort is supported by Google.org’s AI Opportunity Fund, an initiative that helps Americans develop essential AI skills by funding best-in-class workforce development and education organizations across critical segments of society.
The new "Make AI Work for You" course
To help small businesses everywhere learn how to use AI, we’re announcing Make AI Work for You — a short course from Grow with Google to help Americans learn how to use AI for work. Participants can learn how to use AI for many work tasks including making a sales pitch deck, building advertising materials or analyzing business results. With real-life case studies from small businesses, this online course provides small business owners ideas, best practices and step by step guidance on using AI tools to solve challenges and get things done.
Make AI Work for You workshop in San Diego, CA
Make AI Work for You workshop in Richmond, VA
Make AI Work for You workshop in Grinnell, IA
Make AI Work for You workshop in Columbus, OH
Make AI Work for You workshop in Clarksville, TN
In addition to the online resources, U.S. small businesses can also participate in Make AI Work for You workshops with local chambers of commerce across the nation. Workshop attendees not only gain valuable insights and practical experience with AI but also leave with a personalized plan to make AI work for their businesses.
We hope these initiatives can help more small businesses across the country seize the AI opportunities ahead. To learn more, visit grow.google/business.
