Free AI Workshops Help Small Businesses Grow

By ICIC | October 23, 2025

Turn AI Uncertainty into Action

ICIC has partnered with Intuit to design and deliver free, interactive AI workshops tailored to small business needs, providing tools, training, and insights to help entrepreneurs adopt AI responsibly and effectively. The Intuit More with AI Tour is a nationwide roadshow comprised of six half-day events that offer hands-on experience with AI tools, practical training, and peer learning—all at no cost.

The curriculum is informed by ICIC’s AI in Business report, which surveyed more than 3,700 small business owners to identify barriers and opportunities in AI adoption. Nadia Larasati, Director of Data Strategy and Innovation at ICIC, says, “We know that in today’s fast-changing business landscape, AI has become an essential tool for driving growth, resilience, and competitiveness.”

Through our collaboration with Intuit on the Intuit More with AI Tour, ICIC is leveling the playing field for small businesses by giving them the tools and confidence to apply AI in practical, responsible, and impactful ways.
– Nadia Larasati, Director of Data Strategy and Innovation at ICIC

Nadia further comments, “Together, we’re working to ensure that entrepreneurs across the country can harness the power of AI to drive innovation and opportunity.”

A Powerful Partnership

ICIC research revealed that more than 60% of business owners using AI report increased productivity. However, 72% of business owners cited a lack of AI knowledge as a barrier to adoption. 

AI has come quick. It’s taken the world, and it’s the buzzword of the century.
–Jaryn Shumaker, ICIC’s Lead Program Coordinator for the Intuit More with AI Tour

“Many small businesses lack the hands-on experience or guidance to leverage AI. The entrepreneurs who come to this workshop are here to learn. They are engaged, curious, excited, and nervous about what this means for them. Our goal is to level the playing field for these small businesses that feel like they’re getting left behind,” states Jaryn Shumaker, ICIC’s Lead Program Coordinator for the Intuit More with AI Tour.

Intuit’s AI-driven platform and products include QuickBooks and Mailchimp. These products are built with a commitment to data privacy, security, and responsible AI governance. As a member of the U.S. Artificial Intelligence Safety Institute Consortium (AISIC), Intuit ensures its tools are built with transparency, fairness, and accountability—making AI accessible and trustworthy for small business owners. This partnership has allowed ICIC to help small business owners unlock new efficiencies and growth opportunities.

Recap of the Tour So Far

The Intuit More with AI Tour has already made impactful stops in Boulder, Los Angeles, Mountain View, and New Haven. Through the tour’s interactive, expert-led workshops, participants have gained foundational knowledge of AI, hands-on experience with practical AI tools, and a clear understanding of how to implement AI responsibly. The tour has enabled hundreds of small business owners to practice vital skills like prompt engineering and discover how they can leverage AI to solve tangible business challenges in areas such as marketing, finance, and operations. Attendees have remarked on the high quality of the instruction and content.

Transforming Communities

Jeanette Velasquez, Founder and CEO, Velasquez Tax & Business Services, LLC (VTBS), participated in the Boulder event. She had great success at the workshop and noted, “As a business leader, innovation to me means bridging access and opportunity through technology and empathy. It’s about transforming challenges into scalable systems that empower small businesses to thrive — especially those historically left behind. The Intuit More with AI Tour reaffirmed how digital tools and AI can help firms like mine, Velasquez Tax & Business Services (VTBS), expand our reach, streamline complex financial workflows, and deliver deeper, data-driven insights to our clients. It inspired me to accelerate our ‘Tech-Forward, People-First’ mission — ensuring every entrepreneur we serve is both future-ready and financially confident.”

AI for Innovation

Another small business owner, Scott Hutflesz, President, Scott and Company LLC, was very clear about the benefits of the workshop. “Innovation means using smarter tools to strengthen relationships, improve accuracy, and support leadership with clarity. The Intuit More with AI Tour showed me how AI can elevate construction workflows without losing the human touch.”

Why The Intuit More With AI Tour Gives Businesses an Edge

According to ICIC’s AI in Business report, most small business owners rely on digital resources—like podcasts, webinars, and online courses—to learn about AI. However, these formats often lack the hands-on exposure needed to build real confidence. The report highlights that in-person learning opportunities, while less commonly used, are especially effective in helping entrepreneurs overcome hesitation and apply AI meaningfully. The Intuit More with AI Tour directly addresses this gap by offering immersive, face-to-face workshops that allow participants to experiment with tools, ask questions in real time, and learn and network alongside peers. This approach not only accelerates learning but also builds trust and comfort—key factors in successful AI adoption.

Similar to the World Wide Web wave, we need to know how to use AI to help us work smarter, not harder.
– Jeanette Velasquez, Founder and CEO of Velasquez Tax and Business Services

Workshop Attendees Learn Real-World AI Skills

• Prompt engineering tips 
• AI tools to automate daily tasks
• Demos of AI tools designed to boost productivity
• Best practices for responsible AI adoption
• B2B networking

What’s Next with AI at ICIC and How You Can Get Involved

As the Intuit More with AI Tour continues to empower small businesses across the country, ICIC remains committed to bridging the AI knowledge gap through hands-on learning and strategic partnerships. With every stop, entrepreneurs gain not only tools but the confidence to innovate, compete, and thrive in a digital-first economy.

Whether you’re just beginning your AI journey or ready to deepen your expertise, now is the time to turn AI uncertainty into action. Join us in Arlington, TX, on November 14, or explore ICIC’s programs to build your AI advantage.

Next stop: Your business. Your AI breakthrough.