OpenAI expands AI training for small businesses through sbdc partnership

OpenAI has announced a partnership with America’s SBDC to provide hands-on training and local guidance to small businesses, aiming to help them effectively integrate AI into their operations. The initiative, part of OpenAI Academy’s Community Trainer Program, plans to train around 150 SBDC advisors and reach at least 1,000 small businesses through in-person workshops and one-on-one advising. A new report, 'Small Businesses, Bigger Capabilities,' highlights that in September, approximately 4 million small-firm employees used OpenAI’s tools, with nearly one in five working at businesses with fewer than 10 employees. Ted and Tami Taylor, owners of three New Mexico restaurants, used ChatGPT Work to analyze competitors’ menu prices, helping them avoid uncompetitive price increases. Other small business owners, like Teri Moten, used AI to research school districts and secure training sessions. The partnership aims to expand AI adoption by combining SBDC’s community expertise with OpenAI’s tools, offering practical guides and workshops tailored to industries like marketing and manufacturing.