Small businesses are realizing that artificial intelligence can deliver real results, but they need the right support to get there. More than 75% of small business owners say they are currently using AI, and 93% of them say AI is having a positive impact. Companies that have implemented AI tools are seeing increased productivity and efficiency, which in turn is expected to increase revenue.
However, only 14% of SMBs have fully integrated AI into their core operations. There is an implementation gap. More than 70% of small business owners say their organization would benefit from additional access to training to implement AI.
Fortunately, there are many free AI training tools and resources that can help fill this gap. This guide includes online courses, books, webinars, and other tools to help you improve your AI implementation in your enterprise. This list is updated regularly, so be sure to check back to see new resources available.
Introduction: General knowledge resources
Free AI training for small businesses from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Our virtual and in-person AI training was developed in collaboration with Google and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation. Find an in-person workshop at your local chamber of commerce or sign up for an online course specifically designed to unlock growth, streamline daily processes, and build a future-ready business. No technical background required.
Grow with Google AI for small businesses
Take free workshops (online or in-person) from Google experts and other business owners. These courses cover AI in customer support, finance, marketing, and more. You can also watch the “Make AI Work for You” video series for tutorials on how to make AI work for specific areas of your business. Also, check out Google’s Learn Essential AI Skills hub. This is Google’s free library of short courses covering generative AI, responsible AI, prompted engineering, and more.
OpenAI Academy
The company that created ChatGPT hosts events, video content, discussions, and workshops to harness the potential of AI. Check out our Small Business Community page for a variety of in-person and online events for different levels of AI literacy.
Everyone’s AI (Coursera)
This free course is open to anyone, with no prior experience required. Instructor Andrew Ng is the founder of DeepLearning.AI, general partner of AI Fund, chairman and co-founder of Coursera, and adjunct professor at Stanford University. In this module, you’ll learn how to identify opportunities to apply AI within your organization, build an AI strategy, and work with your AI team.
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Free courses and certifications
Career Essentials in Generative AI by Microsoft and LinkedIn
This course is available for free through LinkedIn’s Skills Initiative. Sponsored by LinkedIn and Microsoft, learn about core AI concepts, responsible AI, and productivity with Microsoft Copilot. If you pass the final assessment, you’ll earn a shareable LinkedIn certificate.
Generated AI for decision makers with AWS
Amazon Web Services offers a variety of free courses and certifications on generative AI fundamentals, planning generative AI projects, and building an AI-enabled organization. The course is self-paced and has no prerequisites.
Leadership-level courses and resources
AI Essentials for Business by Harvard Business School
This online course from Harvard Business School teaches leaders how to build, lead, and run AI-powered organizations. Perfect for anyone looking to explore AI-based business models, generative AI strategies, and responsible implementation.
AI for organizational leaders with Microsoft and LinkedIn
This course is also available for free through LinkedIn’s Skills Initiative. Designed for executives and senior leaders, it covers how to strategically integrate and scale generative AI and how to build AI suitability across your organization.
AI for Business (Wharton UPenn)
This four-course specialization from Wharton, hosted on Coursera, covers AI strategy, ethics, talent management applications, and marketing. Designed for non-technical business leaders who need to talk about AI with confidence.
HBR Guide to AI Fundamentals for Managers
The Harvard Business Review Handbook covers the use of AI in financial modeling, product design, performance management, and hiring. A companion workbook with podcasts and worksheets to help you put the guide’s advice into practice is also available.
AI-driven leadership by Jeff Woods
Woods has written a practical guide for executives on using AI as a strategic thinking partner. This book covers creating and implementing an AI strategy and includes workshops, podcasts, and other resources available online.
Co-Intelligence: Living and Working with AI, by Ethan Mollick
This best-selling book lays out four fundamental principles for success in an AI-transformed workplace. Mollick regularly posts about AI on Substack and provides additional resources at Wharton’s Generative AI Lab.
Daily AI Podcast
Jordan Wilson’s daily podcast and free newsletter helps business owners grow with AI. Episodes feature practical tools, news, and use cases in easy-to-understand, easy-to-understand episodes. One of the most recommended podcasts for small business owners.
Hard fork — New York Times
New York Times journalists Kevin Roos and Casey Newton host this weekly technology and AI news podcast, covering major AI stories in an engaging and accessible format. This is a good resource for leaders who want to stay informed without diving into deep technical content.
AI resources for marketing and sales teams
Hubspot: AI for marketing
This free, self-paced course covers AI for content creation, email marketing, lead scoring, and customer engagement. It is aimed at small business owners who want to optimize their marketing efforts by incorporating AI into their campaigns.
Marketing Automation with AI and HubSpot — Coursera Guided Projects
This project hosted on Coursera shows you how to combine ChatGPT and HubSpot to build automated lead nurturing workflows. Learn how to set up contact records, create AI prompts for your marketing strategy, design workflows, and create campaign dashboards.
AI for Marketing Campaigns — HubSpot Academy
This is HubSpot’s free, quick lesson on how to use AI to plan, execute, and optimize your marketing campaigns. This lesson is practical and narrow in scope, making it directly applicable to small business marketing teams.
Marketing AI Institute
This resource will help marketers and business leaders understand, experiment with, and scale AI, with a special focus on free classes for marketing leaders.
AI resources for HR and talent management
SHRM AI + HI Professional Certification
This paid, instructor-led program from SHRM helps HR professionals build a strong foundation in AI concepts and HR-specific applications, culminating with a real-world capstone project. Participants earn SHRM Recertification Credits (PDC).
AI in HR: The CHRO’s role in AI transformation (Gartner)
This Gartner study highlights three key areas for CHROs to lead: aligning AI with corporate strategy, reinventing HR with intelligent experiences, and preparing the workforce for the future.
SHRM — AI for Workplace Resource Hub (Free)
SHRM Labs hosts a free collection of SHRM Labs research, playbooks, video tutorials, and AI prompt templates. Topics include ethical AI in recruiting, talent management, performance, and L&D, as well as a plain language AI glossary for HR teams.
AI resources for finance and accounting
AI Applications in Accounting and Finance by University of Maryland
The free auditing course offered by the University of Maryland is designed for accounting and finance professionals and requires no technical background. Learn how to work with unstructured financial data, apply machine learning to real financial documents, and use AI tools with minimal coding.
Certified AI for Finance Specialist by Corporate Finance Institute
CFI’s seven specialized courses provide finance professionals with practical AI skills for financial statement analysis, scenario planning, risk assessment, and data dashboards. Participants will conduct practical case studies and earn a certificate.
AI for CFOs: Master the future of finance by Udemy
This Udemy course focuses on AI-powered cash flow forecasting, fraud detection, invoice processing, and financial analysis. This includes rapid engineering for financial analysis and a framework for building an AI implementation roadmap for your organization.
Artificial Intelligence for Finance, Accounting, and Auditing by Udemy
Get a hands-on, no-code overview of eight AI technologies used in finance and accounting, including machine learning, NLP, and chatbots. This course uses tools such as IBM Watson and RapidMiner, but no technology knowledge is required. Ideal for accountants and auditors considering AI.
AI resources for operations and productivity
AI Automation Blueprint: Customize AI for your business with SCORE
This free, self-paced SCORE course teaches you how to identify and automate administrative tasks, choose the right AI tools (ChatGPT, Claude, NotebookLM), and build a custom AI business manifesto for your business.
Microsoft’s AI Skills Navigator
Browse this learning space to discover AI-powered skills experiences and credentials that help individuals build career skills and organizations around the world accelerate their business.
Rapid engineering of ChatGPT by Vanderbilt University
This free course from Vanderbilt University teaches you how to create effective AI prompts to maximize productivity using tools like ChatGPT. This is one of the most practical skills an employee or business owner can develop.
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