AI for Mainstreet Act
The AI for Mainstreet Act would amend the Small Business Act to require the nation’s Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) to assist small businesses with evaluating and adopting artificial intelligence (AI) in their operations. The Centers would provide information, guidance, and training on AI best practices, how AI can help with planning for unexpected events, protecting data and intellectual property, improving cybersecurity, ensuring regulatory compliance, and building customer trust, as well as guidance on how to incorporate AI into everyday business operations. The bill also requires outreach to small businesses about AI use, to the extent practical. It defines AI for purposes of the Act by referencing the definition in the National AI Initiative Act of 2020. No new funding is authorized to carry out these provisions, and the bill is subject to budget rules (CUTGO).
Key Points
- 1Adds a new AI-focused responsibility for Small Business Development Centers: provide information, guidance, and training on AI use, including best practices, risk management, cybersecurity, IP protection, regulatory compliance, and customer trust, plus guidance on integrating AI into operations.
- 2Requires outreach about AI to small business concerns, to the extent practical.
- 3Reorganizes existing sections to accommodate the new AI provision (introduces new subparagraph W under Small Business Act Section 21(c)(3), with related renumbering of subsequent subparagraphs).
- 4Defines “artificial intelligence” in the Small Business Act by cross-referencing the definition in the National AI Initiative Act of 2020.
- 5Short title: AI for Mainstreet Act.
- 6Fiscal note: No new funds are authorized; compliant with CUTGO (budget rules that require offsets or budget neutrality).