The Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce is taking its small-business AI training program statewide with a new $1 million grant from Google.org.
Funding will support the second phase of the Chamber’s Go Digital Initiative, giving 20 Chambers of Commerce and local business-serving organizations across New York the resources and training to help small businesses incorporate artificial intelligence into their regular operations.
The Chamber announced the grant Sept. 22, following its annual Economic Development Breakfast, which focused this year on AI and the New York City economy.
The Brooklyn Chamber will use its existing AI curriculum, implementation model and partner network to train participating organizations, which will provide AI assistance and programming to businesses in their communities.
“AI is no longer a tool reserved for tech giants — it is an essential operational asset for main street small businesses looking to compete, scale, and thrive,” Randy Peers, president and CEO of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce, said in a statement.
He added that the Chamber would distribute “our field-tested AI playbook” across the state, thanks to the grant.
“By funding and training local Chambers alongside Google, we are building a sustainable statewide infrastructure that ensures every small business community in New York has the tools needed to succeed in an AI-driven economy,” he continued.
The grant will allow 200 small businesses across the state to access the AI training models.Photo courtesy of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce
The grant program will provide $20,000 in implementation funding to each of the 20 participating Chambers, totaling $400,000 in direct support. Organizations will also receive AI curricula, marketing and recruitment toolkits, operational guidelines and implementation assistance from the Affila Group.
The statewide rollout is expected to reach at least 200 small businesses during its initial phase, with the program aiming to improve AI literacy and help businesses use the technology to streamline operations and improve business performance. They added that the model is designed to continue beyond the initial rollout by giving local Chambers the tools and staff expertise needed to run their own AI training programs.
New York City Comptroller Mark Levine served as the event’s keynote speaker.Photo courtesy of the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce
Google said the grant is intended to help small businesses across the state gain access to digital tools as AI becomes increasingly integrated into business operations.
“Small businesses are the backbone of New York’s economy, and making sure they have access to the latest digital tools is essential to keeping our communities competitive,” Reggie Thomas, head of government affairs at Google New York, said in a statement.
He added that the models will “empower local Chambers across the state” to “optimize operations, scale and build long-term economic resilience.”