Helping Small Businesses Put AI to Work
Partnership with America’s SBDC will expand hands-on training and local guidance, while a new report explores what small teams are accomplishing with AI.
Training Advisors and Reaching Local Small Businesses
Small businesses are built on ambition: a craft you’ve perfected, a skill to share, or a better way to serve a community. But turning that ambition into a thriving business comes with challenges like finding customers, managing finances, and marketing—often with limited resources. AI can be a game-changer, but understanding where to begin takes time. A trusted advisor can make that journey smoother.
Today, OpenAI is collaborating with America’s SBDC (opens in a new window) to empower more small businesses to utilize AI. We aim to train 150 Small Business Development Center advisors and conduct hands-on workshops across the country, reaching at least 1,000 small businesses through this initial phase.
Small Businesses, Bigger Capabilities
Alongside this partnership, we've released a report titled Small Businesses, Bigger Capabilities (opens in a new window) that highlights how small owners and teams are leveraging AI to expand their capabilities. Notably, the report reveals that approximately 4 million small-firm employees worldwide used OpenAI’s tools just within one week (September 9-15).
Pilot Program Details
The pilot program will focus on training local advisors and providing small business owners with learning opportunities:
- Training and Credentialing Advisors: America’s SBDC will select small business advisors for specialized OpenAI Academy training, equipping them to guide owners in applying AI responsibly and selecting suitable starting points.
- Hands-on Local Workshops: We'll host workshops at each participating SBDC network, following the three-hour, hands-on format of OpenAI Academy sessions. These workshops will enable owners to explore ChatGPT for real business tasks and develop practical plans.
- Industry-Specific Resources: Together with America’s SBDC, we will create guides tailored to various industries, including marketing, operations, manufacturing, and more.