A bipartisan US Senate bill could bring free AI training to small businesses nationwide through existing support centres.
What’s happening: US Senators Todd Young and Maria Cantwell have introduced the AI for Mainstreet Act, directing the Small Business Administration to provide AI training, guidance and support through its existing nationwide network of Small Business Development Centres.
Why this matters: Small businesses face challenges adopting AI while large corporations can afford expensive consultants and trial and experimentation, creating a competitive divide.
American small businesses could soon access comprehensive AI training and guidance through a nationwide network of government centres under new bipartisan legislation introduced in the Senate.
The AI for Mainstreet Act, introduced on 7 January by Senators Todd Young and Maria Cantwell, would direct the Small Business Administration to expand its support services to include AI adoption assistance. The help would be delivered through SBA’s existing Small Business Development Centres, which already operate more than 900 locations across the United States.
Bridging the knowledge gap
“Our bill will provide training, guidance, and support to ensure more American small businesses are equipped with the tools needed to compete in today’s evolving digital economy,” Senator Young said Senator Young.
The proposed support would cover multiple aspects of AI implementation, including streamlining business operations, planning for unexpected circumstances, protecting intellectual property, improving cybersecurity and maintaining regulatory compliance.
Senator Cantwell emphasised the urgency of preventing small businesses from falling behind. “As artificial intelligence becomes an essential workplace tool, small businesses should not be left behind,” she said.
The challenge is particularly acute for smaller enterprises. Roger Williams, chair of the House Small Business Committee, noted that while large corporations can afford expensive consultants and trial and experimentation, many small businesses do not have the luxury to do that.
Building on existing infrastructure
The legislation builds on an existing initiative called the AI U Program, a Small Business Development Centre programme with backing from Google that provides one-on-one coaching and AI training resources to small businesses.
Representative Mark Alford, who co-sponsored the House version, said the legislation “builds on the AI U Program, a SBDC initiative with backing from Google that makes 1-on-1 coaching and other AI training resources available to small businesses”.
The House companion bill, introduced in October 2025 by Representatives Mark Alford and Hillary Scholten, passed the lower chamber on 20 January 2026 with a decisive 395 to 14 vote. The measure now awaits Senate consideration alongside the newly introduced Senate version.
Bipartisan momentum builds
The House also passed a second AI-focused bill for small businesses on the same day. The AI Wisdom for Innovative Small Enterprises Act would require the SBA to create educational resources and learning modules about AI, hosted on an existing agency platform.
Representative Nydia Velázquez, ranking member of the House Small Business Committee, said: “While it is becoming increasingly common for small businesses to use AI to streamline their operations, many still do not have access to it responsibly”.
OpenAI has expressed support for both measures. In testimony to the House Small Business Committee, the company stated the AI for Mainstreet Act would put practical expertise directly within reach of entrepreneurs across the country.
The AI adoption challenge extends beyond American borders. Recent research from Deloitte Access Economics found that while two-thirds of Australian SMBs are using AI, just 5% of surveyed SMBs using the technology are fully enabled to realise its potential benefits.
The report identified five common barriers facing small businesses: lack of awareness about AI applications, insufficient technological infrastructure, workforce unpreparedness, skills gaps and funding constraints.
John O’Mahony from Deloitte Access Economics said: “One-third of the businesses not currently using AI say they don’t know where to start, while around half of those using the technology have only an intermediate level of understanding”.
The proposed American legislation attempts to address these knowledge barriers through structured government support. If passed, the Senate bill would require no additional funding, instead working within the SBA’s existing budget and infrastructure.
The measure’s strong bipartisan support in the House suggests broad political consensus on helping small businesses navigate AI adoption. The Senate bill now awaits committee consideration and potential floor action.
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