FIU’s Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC) recently collaborated with OpenAI to host a hands-on workshop in Wynwood to help more than 200 small business leaders learn practical ways to use ChatGPT and related tools in their daily work, from writing marketing copy and organizing schedules to handling customer messages and bookkeeping. Five such in-person gatherings were held simultaneously across the country, with the goal of making artificial intelligence practical and accessible to everyday business owners.
SBDC consultants, OpenAI mentors, and other partners guided local business owners to leverage AI in actionable ways. This partnership reflects FIU’s continued momentum as an “AI-first” university that embeds artificial intelligence across its research, teaching, and community impact.
“Big companies drive the stock market and newspaper headlines, and small businesses drive local economies,” Brian Van Hook, regional director of FIU’s Florida SBDC, which operates out of the College of Business, said in opening remarks at the event. “The fact that so many people are taking time away from their jobs to learn how AI can help them is huge. AI is a game-changer, whether you’re a large company or a small business.”
OpenAI Academy’s goal is to give small business owners access to AI tools that help them compete and innovate. According to a recent survey conducted for OpenAI, half of small business owners believe that AI skills are becoming increasingly essential for their employees, and 60% expect AI knowledge to become part of their team’s capabilities to significantly improve efficiency.
At the Miami event, business owners worked on solutions that support a variety of tasks, from automated marketing content and customer communications to data-driven decision-making that improves scheduling, purchasing, and inventory planning.
In addition to FIU’s Florida SBDC, other local partners include Miami Dade College’s Idea Center and the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce.
One of the featured speakers was Alden Chance, owner of Tropirollz, a Caribbean fusion sushi restaurant based in Miami. He is a customer of FIU’s SBDC, which specializes in free support for local businesses, which he shared with attendees. How has AI helped you automate time-consuming tasks and give you back the time you need to run and grow your business?
“Time is one of the biggest challenges we face as small business owners,” Chance told the audience. “OpenAI and ChatGPT helped us break through administrative overload.”
Chance uses AI to draft marketing materials, create campaigns, respond to customer emails, and even analyze customer behavior. The impact has been transformative, he said.
“If I’m stuck with an email, ChatGPT creates a response. If I don’t know what my next marketing move should be, I ask it to analyze the data and fill in the gaps,” he said. “It’s like adding another team member.”
Chance also credited FIU’s Florida SBDC for helping him implement AI in a meaningful way. “If it wasn’t for FIU’s SBDC, I wouldn’t be in this room today. Reach out to them. They’re a great resource.”
The featured AI consultant’s coaching focused on helping small and medium-sized businesses grow, increase productivity, and improve competitiveness in the digital age.
FIU’s participation strengthens the university’s commitment to helping Miami’s entrepreneurs and small business owners benefit from emerging technologies. FIU continues to expand its AI ecosystem in collaboration with OpenAI and other technology leaders, including new coursework, research initiatives, partnerships, and community programming.
“FIU’s SBDC, the university, and our partners are ensuring local businesses are equipped with the tools to innovate and compete,” Van Hook said. “Small businesses are driving Miami forward. Giving small businesses access to AI will move Miami forward.”
