ChatGPT launches small business agent with free in-person training

OpenAI wants small business owners to stop treating artificial intelligence as an afterthought. The company is betting that hands-on training, not just software, will get them there.

First, hands-on virtual training runs through product-specific webinars. These sessions walk owners through ChatGPT Work use cases across accounting, marketing and ecommerce.

What Happened

OpenAI said the webinars will also include live demos, sample prompts and workflows attendees can apply right away. Second, in-person training centers the effort.

• Specifically, the company said 78% of participants built a functional AI workflow in a single day.

• It also said 42% of attendees saved more than five hours a week after applying what they learned.

• A recent NFIB survey found only 24% of small employers currently use AI.

Key Details

OpenAI’s Academy team is holding Small Business AI Academies in cities across the United States. The sessions give owners a chance to work directly with OpenAI staff.

• ASBN, from startup to success, we are your go-to resource for small business news, expert advice, information, and event coverage.

• OpenAI has not announced an end date for the program or confirmed how many cities will host academies this year.

• Business owners can register for virtual training or find an in-person AI academy through OpenAI’s sign-up form.

Why It Matters

Attendees build workflows in real time instead of learning from a video or a guide. OpenAI pointed to results from last year’s Small Business AI Jams as evidence the format works.

• This suggests OpenAI’s training push targets a market still in the early stages of adoption.

• Rather, they need to connect the ones they already have to their existing data and workflows.

What Reports Say

Coverage of the story so far points to:

• Continued reporting by ASBN Small Business Network as more details emerge