Small businesses fuel local economies and are quickly embracing AI to stay ahead. More than half of small business leaders rely on AI to simplify everything from managing inventory to training new hires.
To support this, Google and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce are partnering on Small Business B(AI)sics, a national initiative backed by $5 million in Google.org funding. The program aims to equip 40,000 U.S. small businesses with essential AI skills through local in-person workshops and online courses, according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
The initiative includes the new “Make AI Work for You” course from Grow with Google, offering practical guidance on using AI for sales, marketing, and operations with real-world examples. These resources help entrepreneurs integrate AI into daily workflows to save time, reach customers, and boost revenue.
Small Business B(AI)sics combines hands-on training through the Chamber’s extensive network and digital tools on its CO— platform, featuring webinars, certification, and success stories to inspire adoption. This effort addresses the growing need for AI knowledge, especially among first-time business owners and those in underserved communities.
By 2028, the program expects to empower tens of thousands of entrepreneurs nationwide, helping them confidently harness AI’s power to strengthen their businesses and communities. As AI becomes an essential tool, this partnership aims to ensure all small businesses can compete and thrive in a tech-driven future of work.
