This course features advice from entrepreneurs like Mak Cabessa, founder of MAKS TIPM Rebuilders and long-time PayPal seller. His advice for small businesses considering leveraging AI is to give the AI the context it needs, question what it returns, treat it as an iterative conversation, and upload as much background information as possible.
PayPal says it will continue partnering with nonprofit organizations to provide AI Fluency for Small Business and wraparound support services to small business ventures around the world.
2026 RTIH Innovation Award
AI will be a key focus area for our sister title, RTIH’s 2026 Innovation Awards.
The awards are currently accepting entries and celebrate global retail innovation in a rapidly changing omnichannel world.
Our winners will be announced at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards Ceremony on Wednesday 4th November at HAC in central London.
Check out the 2025 winners here.
The 2025 Hall of Fame artists were announced during a sold-out event held at HAC on October 16th. The event consisted of a drinks reception, three-course meal, and an awards ceremony hosted by award-winning comedian, actress, and author Tiff Stevenson.
In his welcome speech, RTIH founder and editor Scott Thompson said: “This is our fifth year as a physical event. We started with just 30 people at the South Place Hotel not far from here, then moved to the London Bridge Hotel, the Barbican, and last year to RIBA headquarters in the West End.”
“But I’m conscious of the fact that, in the words of the legend that is Taylor Swift, you’re only as hot as your last hit, baby. So this year we moved to our biggest venue ever, attracted the most entries ever, and broke attendance records.”
He added: “This year’s entries were undoubtedly the best yet. In the words of one of the judges, the examples of innovative development across both traditional and digital retail spaces were truly remarkable.”
