Helping Small Businesses Do More with AI
AI holds real promise for small businesses, but figuring out where to start—and what actually helps—can feel overwhelming. icic.ai is ICIC’s hub for practical, actionable guidance. Through step-by-step resources and training, we help small businesses understand AI’s potential, leverage AI tools to tackle business needs and challenges (marketing, operations, finance, etc.), and build confidence in using AI responsibly.
ICIC and Intuit
In today’s fast-changing business landscape, small businesses need every advantage to compete and grow. That’s why ICIC and Intuit have partnered to equip small businesses with the tools, resources, and knowledge they need to harness the power of AI. Our collaboration is not just about technology—it’s about breaking barriers, fostering innovation, and driving inclusive economic growth.
This partnership has evolved through years of shared commitment to small business success, culminating in groundbreaking research, AI-focused programming, and hands-on learning opportunities. At the heart of this initiative is the belief that AI can be a game-changer for small businesses—but only if they have the right support to adopt and implement it effectively.
Intuit More with AI Tour
In response to the need for AI education resources, ICIC and Intuit launched the Intuit More with AI Tour. The tour is comprised of six half-day events held across the U.S. that provide small and mid-market businesses with actionable insights and hands-on experience on a range of small business AI tools from Intuit and other companies. The curriculum is informed by ICIC’s extensive research and includes practical applications, benefits, and responsible implementation strategies, all at no cost to attendees.
The tour has made stops in Boulder, CO; Los Angeles, CA; Mountain View, CA; and New Haven, CT. The tour has two additional stops planned, including Arlington, TX, on November 14.
Executive Education Programs
Every ICIC-designed and delivered program embeds AI training directly into the curriculum, made possible through the generous support of Intuit. Meaningful capacity building today means helping small business owners apply AI in real workflows. Through live instruction and interactive workshops, participants learn how to use AI for marketing, customer engagement, finance, operations, and procurement—with hands-on practice and templates that make adoption actionable.
AI Resources & Tools
Find approachable resources to put AI to work in your business. Browse practical tools, short blogs, and simple how-tos that translate AI into everyday steps. Everything is curated and vendor-neutral, updated regularly, and designed so you can start where you are and build confidence over time.
- Talk With It: The Pro Tip to Smarter AI Output–Reframe how you use AI tools like ChatGPT and Google Gemini. Dobbin Bookman shares how prompt engineering using clarity, context, tone, structure, and specificity can turn vague requests into strategic results. Explore sample prompts across industries and learn how to turn AI into the most brilliant intern on your team.
- Getting Started with AI Webinar: Discover how artificial intelligence can transform your small business operations without requiring technical expertise. Mary Nunaley cuts through the complexity to provide you with actionable strategies for implementing AI solutions that save time, reduce costs, and create competitive advantages in today’s digital marketplace.
- AI in Business Report Webinar: Discover the real impact of AI on business efficiency, employee roles, and future innovation in this engaging discussion with the authors of ICIC’s AI research report—Miles Chandler, Howard Wial, and Dobbin O. Bookman—alongside small business leaders Randy Larsen and Barry Love, who share their firsthand experiences with AI adoption.
Cutting Edge Research
ICIC recently conducted a nationwide study of small and mid-market businesses that included five focus groups and a national survey, which garnered more than 3,700 responses. The study’s goal was to identify knowledge gaps and training preferences, such as how these businesses use AI, barriers to adoption, and where the greatest opportunities are for AI to support business owners.
Key Research Findings
- AI Adoption is Widespread: Nearly 89% of surveyed small businesses report using AI tools—many for everyday tasks like drafting emails, creating marketing content, and analyzing data.
- Impact on Businesses and Employees: More than 60% of business owners say AI adoption has boosted both employee productivity and job satisfaction, but significant barriers remain.
- Education is Essential: From online courses to podcasts and peer learning groups, business owners overwhelmingly prefer hands-on, flexible learning opportunities to build their AI confidence.