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.