Last month, Grow with Google embarked on a Route 66 journey with their “Make AI Work for You” initiative. The tour focused on providing practical AI training to small business owners across five different states, aiming to help them save time, increase sales, and expand their teams.
During this tour, Google organized workshops specifically designed to assist small business owners in leveraging artificial intelligence to streamline everyday operations and enhance sales performance. These educational sessions were accessible to entrepreneurs who wanted to learn methods to boost efficiency in managing their businesses.
Even if you missed the Route 66 tour, you can still gain these valuable skills through Google’s free online training. This includes a new course that teaches you how to develop custom applications without needing any coding skills. To start learning and applying these tools to your business, you can visit Grow.Google/SMB.
Throughout August, the AI training tour, titled “Make AI Work for You,” stopped in five states along the historic Route 66: Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, Arizona, and California. Google collaborated with local chambers of commerce and Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) to present practical, hands-on AI workshops directly to entrepreneurs.
Hundreds of local business owners and community members participated, working through everyday activities to see how AI could help grow their businesses and save them several hours each week. According to data from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, 85% of small businesses utilizing AI experienced increased sales in the past year, and 82% were able to expand their teams.
At each stop, local entrepreneurs and independent business owners came together to brainstorm solutions for operational challenges, manage their daily responsibilities more effectively, and explore new ideas. One participant even shared personal insights on the experience.
Although the Route 66 tour has concluded, the opportunity to learn how to use AI remains available. Google continues to offer the AI Professional Certificate training free of charge to U.S. small businesses. This program includes a new course on “vibe coding,” which guides participants through planning, testing, debugging, and launching custom applications using everyday language without needing prior coding knowledge.
Whether you attended the Route 66 workshops or are just starting to explore AI, you can access free courses and resources anytime at Grow.Google/SMB.
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