The House of Representatives on Tuesday (January 20) passed two bills that would require the Small Business Administration (SBA) to help small businesses adopt artificial intelligence (AI).
The AI for Main Street Act (HR 5764), sponsored by Rep. Mark Alford, R-Missouri, requires the SBA’s Small Business Development Center to provide guidance, training, and outreach to help small businesses evaluate, adopt, and use AI, Alford said in a press release Tuesday.
“Main Street stands on the threshold of great change, because the AI revolution isn’t coming, it’s already here,” Alford said in a release. “We strive to ensure that no entrepreneur or job creator is left behind.”
Another House-passed bill, the Artificial Intelligence Wisdom for Innovative Small Businesses Act (AI-WISE Act; HR 5784), sponsored by Michigan Democratic Rep. Hilary Scholten, would require the SBA to add AI literacy resources to existing online learning platforms.
These resources will help small and medium-sized businesses understand how AI tools work, assess their risks and benefits, protect their privacy, and decide whether to adopt the technology, Scholten said in a press release on Tuesday.
Both the AI-WISE Act and the AI for Main Street Act provide guidance to help small businesses use AI tools responsibly and effectively, Scholten said.
Advertisement: SCROLL TO CONTINUE
“These bipartisan bills will support small businesses as AI reshapes our economy by ensuring Main Street has access to the same expertise and support as large corporations,” Scholten said. “This bill provides much-needed tools for small businesses to evaluate new technologies, protect their data, and use AI in ways that actually make sense for their operations.”
The AI for Main Street Act passed the House by a vote of 395-14, while the AI-Wise Act passed by voice vote, according to Congress.gov.
According to Scholten’s press release, the bill now goes to the Senate for consideration.
PYMNTS reported in June that AI could enable small and medium-sized businesses to leapfrog to AI-first business models that rival those of large incumbents by automating processes, augmenting talent, and speeding decision-making.
When the two bills were introduced in November, PYMNTS reported that they focused on training, education, and advisory support at a time when many small businesses are considering AI but lack the resources to implement it effectively.
