American Express opens up free AI training to small firms as adoption gap widens
American Express has thrown its weight behind the AI talent race for small business, unveiling two training and education programs designed to pull owner-managers and their employees out of the testing phase with measurable productivity gains.
Announced this week, the programs were developed in partnership with the global non-profit organization and US-based Scholarship America. The first, AI Upskilling for Small Business, is a free training program delivered by Generation that is open to small firms anywhere in the world and is taught in English and Spanish. The second, Smart Futures for Small Business Scholarships, is a US-only pot sponsored by the American Express Foundation that will give eligible employees up to $1,000 (about £790) to spend on AI certification courses run by accredited vendors or educational institutions.
The move comes at a time when boardroom enthusiasm for manufacturing AI has yet to translate into shop floor prowess. A number of recent surveys of small companies in the UK and US suggest that while interest is near universal, the share of owner-managers using AI tools in any systematic way remains relatively low, with confidence and training identified as major barriers.
Jennifer Skyler, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at American Express, said the company wants to close this gap. “AI can be a powerful tool for small businesses when used in practical, everyday ways,” he said. “These programs are designed to help small businesses move from Gen AI testing to practical implementation, equipping them to drive productivity and help unlock new growth opportunities.”
The Generation Curriculum, refined through a series of pilots, is divided into three self-directed tracks set at different roles and levels of AI familiarity. The AI Generalist track offers a basic foundation alongside short, practical “Mini Missions” that cover everyday tasks. The Digital Marketing track focuses on using AI in content production, campaign optimization and customer insights. The Digital Customer Success track focuses on accelerating inquiry management and personalizing the customer experience.
In all three, participants are taught to plan customer communications, support marketing campaigns, summarize and organize information, and turn raw research into commercial information, while keeping an eye on the outcome.
Bonni Theriault, Chief Partnerships Officer at Generation, said that this framework was done on purpose. “Generation’s programs support participants to practice and master skills that make a big difference to them in their daily work,” she said. “We’re excited to partner with American Express to give small business owners the opportunity to hone their AI skills and see real benefits to their business.”
For Katy Kinch, owner of US-based Buttermilk Bakeshop and an early participant, the value lies in punching above her weight. “One of the biggest takeaways from the program for me was seeing how powerful AI can be when used properly, because it allowed me to do things that required a full team,” he said. “I was able to analyze customer feedback, identify trends and track storage patterns from the comfort of my own living room, which gave me insights that I would not have been able to access as a small business owner.”
The Smart Futures feature, administered by Scholarship America, is organized as an employer nomination program. Owners can nominate a team member for funding to pursue AI courses or certificate programs of their choice. Mike Nylund, President and CEO of Scholarship America, pitched it as employee insurance against rapid technological change. “AI tools offer small businesses a world of opportunities, and education and training ensures that their workforce is ready to meet this era,” he said.
For British small business owners looking across the Atlantic, half the money is off the table, but Generation Training is not. The curriculum is open to the world and is free to use, putting it within reach of any UK company willing to commit a few hours of staff time. As the Government continues to push productivity as the main economic challenge facing the country, and as AI has been repeatedly identified as a sound basis for small firms to attract, programs that lower the barrier to finding talented children are likely to attract increasing interest.
Generation runs multiple collections throughout the year, with registration open through its website. Applications close on 10 June 2026.
