SBA Mandated to Launch Free AI Training for Small Businesses Within 180 Days, Must Use Existing Budget

The new Artificial Intelligence Wisdom for Innovative Small Enterprises Act (AI–WISE Act) is essentially telling the Small Business Administration (SBA) to get with the program and teach small businesses how to use Artificial Intelligence (AI)—and how not to. This is a big deal for anyone running a shop, managing a service business, or doing freelance work who keeps hearing about AI but doesn't know where to start.

The AI Crash Course: What You’ll Learn

Section 2 of the Act mandates that the SBA create and maintain a suite of free, online educational materials and training modules specifically about AI for small business concerns. They have to get this done fast—within 180 days of the law being enacted. Think of it as a policy-mandated AI boot camp. The goal is to make sure small businesses can actually figure out what AI is, how it works, and whether it’s worth the investment.

The training isn't just about showing off cool tools. It’s designed to be practical and grounded in reality. The modules must cover how AI models function, what their actual limitations are, and how to spot if something was produced by AI. For a small business owner considering using AI to draft marketing copy or manage customer service inquiries, this training will be vital for understanding the difference between a helpful tool and a costly liability. Crucially, the training will focus on risk management, especially how to protect customer privacy when feeding data into third-party AI tools, and the importance of keeping a human in the loop for critical decisions.

To keep the content sharp and unbiased, the SBA must coordinate with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and form an Advisory Working Group of experts from academia, the private sector, and small business outreach organizations. This group will help shape the curriculum, ensuring it stays current and doesn't promote one specific AI vendor over another. This neutrality is key; you won’t be getting a sales pitch, but actual best practices.

The Catch: No New Money

Here’s where the rubber meets the road, as outlined in Section 3, titled “Compliance with CUTGO.” While the Act mandates the SBA to create and maintain this comprehensive new educational program, it explicitly states that no new funding is authorized. Zero. This means the SBA has to pull the resources—the staff time, the development costs, the IT infrastructure—from its existing budget. They can’t ask Congress for extra cash just for this project.

For the average taxpayer, this is a mixed bag. On one hand, it’s fiscally conservative—the government isn't spending more money. On the other hand, it puts significant pressure on the SBA. They must now divert funds and resources from existing programs, like traditional loan processing or other small business support initiatives, to meet this new, mandatory AI education deadline. If you’re a small business owner who relies on existing SBA services, this budget shift could mean slower service elsewhere as the agency scrambles to launch the AI-WISE program within the six-month deadline. It’s a classic case of mandated expansion without mandated funding.