Stony Brook University brings AI training to small businesses

By TBR Staff For 49 Long Island small businesses, artificial intelligence went from a broad concept to a practical business plan through a five-month program led by Stony Brook University. The inaugural LIA-AI Growth Academy celebrated its completion Sept. 24 at Stony Brook’s Center of Excellence in Wireless and Information Technology, where participants received $5,000 grants to help put their plans into practice. The free academy was launched by the Long Island Association Foundation with support from Google.org and delivered in partnership with Stony Brook. Experts from CEWIT and Stony Brook’s AI Innovation Institute worked alongside business advisors from the Long Island Small Business Development Center to provide training and mentorship. The program focused on practical applications of AI, including marketing, customer engagement, financial management, productivity and workflow automation. Participants learned about large language models and agentic AI, while also addressing privacy, ethics and implementation strategies. Each business developed a customized AI deployment plan. Collectively, participants plan to use about two dozen AI platforms for applications, including content creation, customer support, meeting productivity, customer relationship management and employee training. “AI is here to stay,” said Stacey Sikes, acting president and CEO of the Long Island Association. “It is part of business and will continue to become part of the business landscape.” Mónica Bugallo, Stony Brook’s interim vice president for research and innovation, said the academy demonstrates how the university can translate its expertise into economic impact for the region. “Helping them to take advantage of new technologies is a very important part of our mission to support our regional economy,” Bugallo said. Lav Varshney, director of Stony Brook’s AI Innovation Institute, encouraged businesses to look beyond simply using AI to make existing tasks faster. “AI is not just about accelerating the current playbook,” Varshney said. “Getting that 10% savings or 20% savings, it’s nice, but unlocking the completely new capabilities, I think that’s where the real power can come.” He also cautioned small businesses to maintain the personal connections that distinguish them from larger companies. “Make sure that you preserve authenticity,” Varshney said. For Mark and John Cronin of John’s Crazy Socks, AI is already becoming part of their daily operations. The company uses it to help organize marketing plans, create social media graphics, conduct research and editing and produce reports tracking key performance indicators. “Everybody is using it,” John Cronin said. “Everybody. And they’re learning.” The graduates will also continue to have access to advising and other resources through the Long Island SBDC at Stony Brook. The academy is intended to be the beginning of an ongoing relationship between the businesses and its organizers. Sikes told graduates that the program was not an ending, but the start of continued support as they implement their plans.