Helping small businesses win with AI

Google’s Grow with Google initiative completed a month-long tour along Route 66, delivering hands-on AI workshops to small business owners in five states. The sessions focused on practical applications to streamline operations, reduce daily workloads, and identify growth opportunities. Participants learned how AI tools could automate repetitive tasks and provide data-driven insights to support decision-making. The initiative aimed to make advanced technology accessible to entrepreneurs regardless of technical background.

Google is maintaining access to these training resources through its online platform, Grow.Google/SMB. A new course allows users to create custom business applications without prior coding experience. The platform offers additional free courses covering AI fundamentals and operational efficiency. Entrepreneurs can enroll at any time to build skills that directly apply to their business needs. The program remains available indefinitely for small business owners across the United States.

The tour partnered with local chambers of commerce and Small Business Development Centers to host workshops in Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, Arizona, and California. Hundreds of participants attended sessions designed to address real-world challenges faced by small businesses. Attendees worked through case studies and interactive exercises to implement AI solutions in their operations. Feedback highlighted the immediate value of learning to integrate AI into daily workflows.

Following the tour, Google continues to promote its Google AI Professional Certificate training at no cost to small businesses. The program includes a new course focused on app development using plain language, eliminating the need for coding knowledge. Participants can plan, test, debug, and launch custom applications tailored to their business requirements. Additional resources and newsletters are available to keep entrepreneurs informed about updates and opportunities.