Small businesses in Georgia will now have expanded access to resources on leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) for their business thanks to a $10 million grant from Google.org. The University of Georgia Small Business Development Center (UGA SBDC) will receive a portion of this grant through America’s SBDCs, the national association of small business development centers, to develop and offer AI consulting and training services statewide.

The UGA SBDC is a top provider of business assistance in Georgia, delivering tools, training and resources for small businesses across the state through 18 office locations. Grant funds received by the UGA SBDC will be used to establish no-cost AI clinics, led by SBDC faculty versed in Google AI technology

These AI clinics provide small business owners with access to curriculum developed by a national team of Google AI and small business experts. As part of the grant, students will have the opportunity to be trained and work with Georgia small businesses on implementing AI technology for their business.

Public service faculty member Robbie Parks was selected as one of nine AI experts to serve on the Google curriculum development committee. Through the work of Parks and the committee, SBDCs across the country have access to newly-developed curriculum—“Grow Your Business with AI-Powered Tools by Google.” In September, Parks and the curriculum committee trained 180 national SBDC professionals during the annual America’s SBDC conference. This is the first of a multi-year training initiative that will inform an estimated 100,000 businesses on AI and digital tools through advising and educational programs nationwide.

During the conference, Parks, a graduate from UGA’s Terry College of Business, participated in a panel discussion to discuss the project. The panel provided an overview of the curriculum development process, ways that small businesses are using AI, and the projected impact of the initiative.

“The business landscape is constantly changing, and it is important businesses keep up with new tools and trends,” said Parks. “The UGA SBDC is focused on educating small business owners on how to adapt their business and leveraging the latest technology to maintain a competitive advantage. This latest initiative is focused on how AI can be incorporated into their operations to support or expand business.”

In Georgia, several SBDC faculty have completed Google AI training and will begin incorporating the curriculum into their consulting sessions in 2025. Resources currently available include an AI readiness checklist, an AI risk assessment and how to build effective prompts for AI output.

“AI is a major topic of interest for small businesses,” said Allan Adams, UGA SBDC state director. “This grant, with support from Google.org and America’s SBDCs, provides new ways for us to reach Georgians with resources about this emerging technology. We’re grateful for Google.org’s commitment to small businesses.”