Small Business AI Training Act

Full Title:
Small Business Artificial Intelligence Training Act of 2026

Summary#

This bill requires the Secretary of Commerce to develop training materials and toolkits to help small businesses use artificial intelligence (AI) and other emerging technologies. The work must be done through the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Director, the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership, and NIST centers. The Secretary must consult the Small Business Administration, the Department of Agriculture, and private-sector groups. The training must be ready within 1 year of the law and cover topics such as prompt engineering, access to credit and capital, financial management, business planning, operations, cybersecurity, marketing, supply chain management, government contracting, and exporting. The Secretary must review the materials within 18 months and at least once a year after that, and coordinate distribution through SBA resource partners (for example, small business development centers, women’s business centers, SCORE, veteran business centers, and the Apex Accelerator). The Secretary may award grants to groups that provide the AI training. The Secretary must send an initial report to certain congressional committees within 1 year and annual reports starting 2 years after enactment that list the resources and describe measurable outcomes, including how many and what types of small businesses use the training and effects on revenues, sales, and workforces. The authorities in this section expire 3 years after enactment.

What it means for you#

  • Small business owners: There will be new free or distributed training materials to learn about AI and related tools. The materials will cover many business topics (finance, marketing, cybersecurity, supply chains, exporting, and government contracting).
  • Training providers and resource partners: NIST and Commerce will coordinate distribution through SBA resource partners. The Commerce Secretary may offer grants to organizations that provide training using the materials.
  • Congress and oversight: The Secretary must report to named congressional committees on development, distribution, and measurable outcomes.
  • Timeline: Training materials due within 1 year; first review within 18 months; annual updates and reporting; program ends after 3 years.

Expenses#

No publicly available information on overall costs or specific appropriations. The bill allows the Secretary to award grants but does not specify funding levels or sources.

Proponents' View#

No publicly available information about proponents' statements or official views in the bill text.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information about opponents' statements or official views in the bill text.