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Grow with Google brings AI training to Route 66 to help small businesses

By Owen Blackridge

· 2 min read

Route 66 road with AI-themed icons indicating training
TechStaged-owned

Summary

  • Grow with Google launched the 'Make AI Work for You' AI training workshop tour along Route 66 in August, stopping in Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, Arizona, and California.
  • Hundreds of local business owners and community members participated in the workshops.
  • U.S. Chamber of Commerce data cited by Google shows that 85% of small businesses using AI reported higher sales in the past year, and 82% expanded their teams.

Last month, Grow with Google launched the 'Make AI Work for You' tour along Route 66, delivering hands-on AI training to small business owners.

The tour visited five states—Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, Arizona, and California—and was conducted in partnership with local chambers of commerce and Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs).

Hundreds of local business owners and community members joined the workshops to explore practical ways to save time, boost sales, and manage daily workloads.

IMPACT ON SMALL BUSINESSES

Google’s materials cite data from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce indicating that 85% of small businesses that use AI saw an increase in sales over the past year and 82% grew their teams. TechStaged has also covered Google teams with Cathay Pacific to expand AI-powered contrail avoidance in Asia-Pacific.

ONGOING EDUCATION AND TOOLS FOR SMBS

Following the tour, Google said it will continue offering the Google AI Professional Certificate training at no cost to U.S. small businesses, including a new vibe coding course designed to help anyone plan, test, debug, and launch custom apps for their business using everyday language, with no coding knowledge required.

Participants can explore free courses and resources at Grow.Google/SMB.

CONTEXT AND NEXT STEPS

Ahead of Route 66’s official centennial this November, Google's effort alongside local partners reinforces ongoing support for local entrepreneurs and their adoption of AI tools.

SOURCES

Reporting by Owen Blackridge; editing by TechStaged editors

Editorial disclosure: This article was prepared with AI assistance from a source-limited research package and passed TechStaged's automated factual, originality, licensing, and publication checks.

Our Standards: The TechStaged Editorial Principles.

Suggested Topics: Software Business Software
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Owen Blackridge

Owen Blackridge

Technology Editor

Owen covers platform shifts, AI launches, and the practical impact of emerging technology on small teams.
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