U.S. Sens. Jerry Moran (R-KS) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA) introduced legislation that would permit the Small Business Administration (SBA) to distribute artificial intelligence (AI) training resources to help small businesses.
The Small Business Artificial Intelligence Training Act would:
- Develop AI training resources and toolkits for small businesses, led by the DOC, in coordination with the SBA.
- Include new trainings on how to use AI or emerging technologies to improve financial management and accounting, business planning and operations, marketing, supply chain management, government contracting and exporting. It also directs specific AI training for small businesses in rural and tribal communities, and small businesses involved in advanced manufacturing.
- Provide new DOC AI training resources to small businesses through SBA resource partners, including Small Business Development Centers, Women’s Business Centers, SCORE, Veteran Business Opportunity Centers and the Apex Accelerator.
- Authorize the DOC Secretary to create a grant program for organizations providing AI trainings developed under this bill. It allows gift authority to use private sector and philanthropic donations to support these grants, with at least 25 percent of any grant funds going toward small businesses located rural or underserved communities.
- Require the Secretary of Commerce to update AI training materials and toolkits at least every two years.
- Require biannual reporting to Congress on the impact of AI training and toolkits developed and distributed under this bill.
“In rural communities where resources and workforce are limited, AI has tremendous potential to fill the gaps and help small businesses with finance management, marketing, supply chain management and much more,” Moran said. “This legislation would help small businesses use AI to meet their needs, expand and innovate. Combining these tools with a trained workforce will help make certain the U.S. is utilizing AI to grow our economy and bolster businesses in Kansas and across the country.”
Some 83 percent of small business owners in the United States who use AI in their business say it has been helpful to their company, according to a report by the Bipartisan Policy Center and Morning Consult. Specifically, they used the technology for accounting, customer communication, social media and to reduce paperwork and streamline tasks.
“Small businesses are the foundation of our economy and AI has the potential to help them maximize opportunities,” Cantwell said. “As AI tools become more accessible and more powerful, we need to make sure entrepreneurs in Washington state and across the country have the training and technical support they need to integrate these tools to better compete, grow and create jobs in a rapidly evolving marketplace.”
The DOC’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) provides technical assistance to small and medium-sized businesses to improve their use of technology. NIST’s Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership also provides technical resources and other assistance to small and medium-sized manufacturing companies.