November 15, 2024
A common concern that small business owners report around adoption of Artificial Intelligence is a lack
of training opportunities specifically catered to small businesses and their unique needs. AI U by
America’s SBDC can help address that.
America’s Small Business Development Centers, (SBDC). The SBDCs, are a partner program of the Small
Business Administration (SBA), and are a network of local small business development centers, hosted by
universities, state or county economic development agencies etc. The SBDCs provide low-cost business
consulting, advice and mentorship to local small businesses.
In September 2024, America’s SBDC received $10 million in funding from Google to help train small
businesses grow with AI. This funding will help create America’s SBDC AI U, a program which will provide
small business owners with AI training and tools and will establish AI Clinics at SBDCs housed in local
universities and other SBDC centers. Google will train advisors who will then train and advise local small
businesses. To learn more, small businesses must contact their local SBDC by entering their zip code.
Grow with Google is also launching a new AI workshop to help small businesses take advantage of
Google’s AI-powered tools. America’s SBDC will incorporate these workshops and other material into
their AIU curriculum. Free, On-demand training can be accessed at h p://g.co/grow/AIforSMBs. Small
business owners can also visit grow.google/digital-coaches to find a Grow with Google Digital coach near
them.
