Over 100 business owners applied to participate in the first AI Advantage Program by the Bronx Chamber of Commerce and Google.org.

The Bronx Chamber of Commerce and Google.org launched The AI Advantage Program to help small businesses learn how to use artificial intelligence.

Over 100 businesses applied for the first of its kind program, but only 70 business owners were selected. The free four-week training program taught participants how to apply AI tools to marketing, customer engagement, workflow automation, data analysis, and decision-making, without requiring technical backgrounds or prior experience.

"This is my partner right here, this is my think tank," said the business owner of Mind Body Hair Salon, Ebony Hayes.

Hayes graduated as part of the first cohort and told News 12 she is comfortable leaving emails and social media planning to AI.

"It allows me to, just, just really make clients feel even more special because the, the busy work is being handled in the background as I am front and center," said Hayes.

The Bronx Chamber of Commerce said the goal is to help fight the stigma against AI and bridge the divide between new technology and businesses.

"People think AI is coming to take their jobs and we have to let them know, no," said the Chief of Staff and Strategy at the Bronx Chamber of Commerce, Tonisha Hurd.

The second cohort of the program is underway and the third group will start in March.

The Bronx Chamber of Commerce urged business owners interested in learning about their programs can visit https://www.bronxchamber.org/.