AI–WISE Act
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The bill would require the Small Business Administration to create free online educational materials teaching small business owners how artificial intelligence tools work and how to evaluate their risks.
It would also create an advisory working group of AI and small-business experts to help keep those materials accurate, aiming to help small firms use AI tools more safely without favoring particular AI products.
What this bill would do
What it would do
The bill would amend the Small Business Act to require the SBA Administrator to establish and maintain educational resources and training modules on artificial intelligence, published on an existing SBA online learning platform. The materials would have to cover topics such as how AI models work and their limits, how to spot AI-generated outputs, how to manage AI risks and protect user privacy, how to keep humans involved in important decisions, and how to decide whether adopting an AI tool is worthwhile. The Administrator would have 180 days after enactment to establish these resources.
The bill would also require the SBA to create an Advisory Working Group of experts from industry, academia, and small-business outreach organizations to recommend content for the materials, and would direct the SBA to coordinate with resource partners to publicize the materials. The materials could not favor any particular AI model, tool, or developer. The bill authorizes no additional funding to carry out its provisions.
Key provisions
- 1Would require the SBA to establish and publicly maintain AI educational resources and modules on an existing SBA online learning platform
- 2Would specify required content areas, including how AI models work, risk management, privacy protection, and evaluating whether to adopt an AI tool
- 3Would create an Advisory Working Group of AI and small-business experts to recommend content and keep materials accurate and current
- 4Would require the SBA to coordinate with resource partners to publicize the materials and allow them to create localized versions
- 5Would prohibit the materials from favoring any particular AI model, tool, or developer
- 6Would require the SBA to establish the resources within 180 days of enactment
- 7States that no additional funds are authorized to carry out the Act
Who would be affected
Small business owners seeking guidance on using artificial intelligence tools, the Small Business Administration and its Administrator, SBA resource partners who help disseminate the materials, and the outside experts from industry, academia, and small-business associations who would serve on the new Advisory Working Group.
Why it matters
Small businesses often lack in-house expertise to evaluate AI tools for reliability, security, or privacy risks; standardized SBA-backed guidance could help them adopt AI more safely and avoid vendor bias. Because the bill authorizes no new funding, the SBA would need to develop and maintain these resources within existing budgets.
What would change
Changes to existing law
Amends Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 631 et seq.) (Sec. 2)
Adds a new Section 49 requiring AI educational resources and an advisory working group; redesignates existing Section 49 as Section 50
Agencies directed to act
Effective dates
- Deadline for SBA to establish the required AI educational resources and modules
How implementation would work
Within 180 days of enactment, the SBA Administrator would need to stand up the educational resources and modules on an existing SBA learning platform. The Administrator would consult the National Institute of Standards and Technology and a newly created Advisory Working Group—comprising private-sector, academic, and small-business-outreach experts selected by the Administrator—to keep the content accurate and current. The Advisory Working Group is exempt from the Federal Advisory Committee Act. SBA resource partners would help publicize the materials and could develop specialized, localized training versions for their communities.
Legislative status & sources
Latest action
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
Official CRS summary
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This bill requires the Small Business Administration (SBA) to establish and maintain educational resources and modules on artificial intelligence tools.
These resources and modules for small businesses must include information about how artificial intelligence models work and how to identify, evaluate, and manage the risks of artificial intelligence. The resources and modules must be published on an existing SBA learning platform.
The SBA also must establish an advisory working group to advise the SBA about relevant information for inclusion in the resources and modules.
Legislative subjects
Advanced technology and technological innovations; Advisory bodies; Commerce; Computers and information technology; Educational facilities and institutions; Educational guidance; Small business
Committee report
H. Rept. 119-405