Helping 1,000 small businesses build with AI

At OpenAI, we want everyone to benefit from our tools that help solve hard problems, especially the small businesses that power our economy. Small businesses drive innovation, create jobs, and form the backbone of communities across the country. But many don’t have the time, resources, or technical background to explore how AI can help them grow and compete for new customers. Putting this capability into the hands of small businesses helps ensure that the productivity gains AI unlocks reach Main Street, not just the largest companies.

That’s why today, OpenAI Academy is teaming up with DoorDash⁠(opens in a new window), SCORE⁠(opens in a new window), and a network of local business support organizations to host the Small Business AI Jam—a nationwide, hands-on workshop designed to make AI practical and accessible for Main Street businesses. Across five hubs—San Francisco, New York City, Houston, Detroit, and Miami—more than 1,000 small business owners will work alongside OpenAI mentors over the course of a day to build AI tools tailored to their needs. Participants range from professional services such as accounting and law firms (about 1 in 5 participants), to restaurants, caterers and food trucks (also about 1 in 5), to retailers like clothing and convenience stores (1 in 10), to creative services like small marketing and design firms (1 in 10), to local repair and cleaning companies, hair salons and barbershops (1 in 20).

A survey conducted for OpenAI earlier this year found that half of small business owners say it’s important for their employees to be comfortable using AI, and 60% expect real efficiency gains from hiring workers with those skills. The Small Business AI Jam will help meet that need by giving Main Street business owners practical tools, hands-on training, and the confidence to put AI to work immediately.

AI can be transformative for small businesses, opening up capabilities that were once only available to companies with large teams and significant resources. At the Jam, participants will build tools to support real business needs such as drafting marketing materials, improving customer communication, and streamlining everyday tasks. Each participant will leave with at least one ready-to-use tool they can immediately put to work.

“Small businesses—the family restaurants that knows your name, the small contractors that build our homes and come back when you have a home emergency, the corner grocer we go to for our goods when we need them the most, the law firm that sponsors your Little League team—these are the building blocks for a healthy neighborhood and strong community. Put powerful AI tools in their hands, and you help them punch above their weight and unlock real productivity gains. This is about making sure that the little guy has the tools needed to compete with larger enterprises, multinational conglomerates and big chains so they can get their fair piece of the economic pie,” says Chris Lehane, Chief Global Affairs Officer, OpenAI.

“Running a small business is equal parts craft, creativity, and chaos. AI can’t make that easy, but it can and should make it easier. Whether it’s writing a menu description, managing inventory, or planning for the dinner rush, DoorDash wants to make sure small business owners of all kinds have what they need to succeed as technology continues to accelerate. We’re thrilled to team up with OpenAI, SCORE, and our regional partners across the country to ensure they have a little more time to focus on what makes their business special,” says Elizabeth Jarvis-Shean, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, DoorDash.

Leading up to the event, participants will have access to an online resource hub⁠⁠(opens in a new window) on OpenAI Academy that covers AI fundamentals to help them prepare. After the Jam, they’ll join an online community where they can continue learning, connect with peers, and build on the tools they created. And for those who can’t attend in person, we’ll also be hosting a virtual Small Business Jam on December 4.

At each of the five Jam locations, regional business support organizations and community conveners are helping tailor the event to meet the specific needs of local small businesses, including:

• Detroit, MI: Detroit Means Business⁠(opens in a new window), New Economy Initiative⁠(opens in a new window), Michigan Chamber of Commerce⁠(opens in a new window)
• Houston, TX: Texas Association of Business⁠(opens in a new window), Houston Area Urban League - Entrepreneurship Center⁠(opens in a new window)
• Miami, FL: The Idea Center⁠(opens in a new window) & AI Center⁠(opens in a new window) at Miami Dade College, Florida SBDC at FIU⁠(opens in a new window), Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce⁠(opens in a new window)
• New York, NY: Five Chamber Alliance⁠(opens in a new window)
• San Francisco, CA: REN Center⁠(opens in a new window), SF Chamber of Commerce⁠(opens in a new window) 

This Jam builds on the momentum of our recent Nonprofit AI Jam⁠ and Scientist AI Jam⁠, which brought thousands of leaders and researchers together to build with powerful AI tools. It is also part of our broader efforts to support small businesses⁠ for the long-term through the “AI for Main Street” track of our upcoming OpenAI Certifications program and OpenAI Jobs Platform. These initiatives will help small businesses access AI-fluent talent and help level the playing field so every business—not just large companies—have access to the tools and workers they need to compete.

Alongside these efforts, this week OpenAI also endorsed⁠(opens in a new window) two bipartisan bills in Congress that would give small businesses clearer guidance and stronger training resources for using AI—reinforcing the kinds of skills and support that the Small Business AI Jam is helping to build.

We want to thank DoorDash and SCORE for supporting the Jam and sharing their expertise on what small businesses need to better use AI to grow and succeed. We’re excited to see the bespoke tools that small business owners across the country build for themselves!