Artificial Intelligence- AI U Program - Turner Center

Leveraging AI for Small Business Growth

What is AI U?
America’s SBDC has received funding from Google.org to establish America’s SBDC AI U, a national small business program dedicated to providing foundational AI training and 1:1 coaching to small businesses seeking to leverage AI’s potential. Through AI Clinics, America’s SBDC will create opportunities to train and offer AI and digital technology resources to over 100,000 clients. This program will benefit advisors, clients, and college students.

Why AI for Small Businesses?
The exciting rise of AI tools and digital technologies is revolutionizing business models and sparking new opportunities for growth and innovation. This transformation could give birth to fresh industries and companies while also providing established businesses with new avenues for expansion.

Why America’s SBDC?
Operating in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. territories America’s SBDCs empower entrepreneurs and small businesses in every corner of our great nation. With 63 SBDC networks collaborating with college and university partners and community college hosts, the incredible resources and support of America’s SBDC AI U are easily accessible to help businesses thrive and succeed.

AI U: Empowering Businesses Through Practical AI Solutions

The AI U program, powered by the Illinois SBDC at Bradley University, is designed to help small business owners, entrepreneurs and organizations leverage artificial intelligence to streamline operations, enhance marketing, and solve real-world business challenges.

Whether you’re just curious about AI or ready to implement it across your business, our program offers personalized, hands-on support through one-on-one advising, group workshops, and student-led innovation projects.

Our AI U Certified advisers and our AI Student team will help you explore solutions and implement tools that make your day-to-day easier, faster, and more efficient.

Turn today’s technology into tomorrow’s business advantage.

Get personalized guidance on how to:

Automate repetitive tasks
Create content using AI tools like ChatGPT and Canva AI
Explore practical AI integrations tailored to your industry

Our expert advisors will help you explore solutions and implement tools that make your day-to-day easier, faster, and more efficient.

We offer a wide variety of AI learning opportunities:

In-person and virtual workshops for all skill levels
Small group work sessions with live demos and Q&A
Training on AI tools including ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, Google AI, Canva, and more.

Each session is focused on real use cases — not theory — so you walk away with tools you can actually use.

Our AI U student team works directly with business clients to solve real-life problems using AI.
Clients are matched with students who:

Conduct discovery sessions to understand the challenge
Select and apply the right AI tools
Deliver real outputs (like email campaigns, process automation, or social media plans)

It’s a win-win: students gain hands-on experience while businesses receive practical, customized solutions.

Save time by automating emails, scheduling and follow-ups
Create high-quality marketing content in minutes
Analyze customer feedback, sales trends or reviews instantly
Generate website copy, blogs, and product descriptions effortlessly
Streamline internal operations with AI-generated templates, SOPs and more

Ready to see what AI can do for your business?
Contact us today to schedule a one-on-one advising session or register for an upcoming AI training.

Reach Out today