On October 22, 2026, Goldman Sachs announced the Small Business AI Institute, an initiative to help U.S. entrepreneurs adopt AI through education, research and support for AI-enabled access to capital. The Institute is part of a $500 million commitment to the broader 10,000 Small Businesses program, which Goldman says will extend education, capital access and support services to another 10,000 businesses.
What the Institute is designed to do
Goldman described three pillars for the Small Business AI Institute: AI education for small businesses, research into how they use AI, and support for expanding access to capital with AI. The $500 million commitment applies to the next chapter of the wider 10,000 Small Businesses program, not solely to the Institute.
What each partner is set to contribute
Goldman named Anthropic, Google, Meta and OpenAI as partners, with different activities for each. The commitments below were announced as planned contributions.
| Partner | Announced activity | Specific scope stated |
| Anthropic | Develop an applied-AI learning series and take part in research collaborations | A learning series for small businesses |
| Provide the Grow with Google AI Professional Certificate | Almost 20,000 small-business owners and employees; the offer includes three months of no-cost Google AI Pro access | |
| Meta | Provide AI tools and training through Muse for Small Business | Tools and training through the named initiative |
| OpenAI | Deliver tailored workshops across the country | Workshops with community-college partners in the 10,000 Small Businesses network |
The existing program’s published terms
Goldman’s existing 10,000 Small Businesses education program is a 12-week course with 100 total hours of learning, mentorship and networking. The Goldman Sachs Foundation funds the program, which is offered at no cost. Its published eligibility criteria say applicants must own or co-own a business that has operated for at least two years, earns more than $75,000 in annual revenue and has at least two employees, including the owner. Goldman Sachs’ education program page lists these terms.
Goldman’s survey points to a gap between trying AI and integrating it
In a survey of more than 2,400 graduates of its small-business program, Goldman Sachs reported that 86% used AI in their businesses, compared with 56% in 2024. Yet 15% said AI was fully integrated into core operations. More than three-quarters said they could use additional training and resources. The figures describe surveyed program graduates, not all U.S. small businesses.
Reported business-owner experiences illustrate different ways AI can fit into work. Rechelle Balanzat, founder of the laundry-services app Juliette, described using AI to prepare more useful questions for meetings with her accountant and lawyer. Mike DiMarino, head of Brooklyn manufacturer Linda Tool, sees possible applications in planning, management and processes, while approaching AI cautiously because the business handles sensitive defense, aerospace and manufacturing information.
