S. 3888 — Small Business Artificial Intelligence Training Act of 2026

This section directs the Secretary of Commerce, acting through the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP), and MEP Centers (i.e., NIST-supported centers that provide manufacturing extension services to small and mid-sized manufacturers to improve productivity, technology adoption, and competitiveness), in consultation with the Small Business Administration (SBA) Administrator, Secretary of Agriculture, and private sector stakeholders, to develop training resources within one year of enactment for small business concerns—including those in rural, Tribal, or underserved communities and involved in advanced manufacturing—on adopting artificial intelligence (AI) and key emerging technologies such as quantum-hybrid computing. The resources must cover prompt engineering and AI/emerging technology applications in areas including access to credit and capital, financial management, business planning and operations, cybersecurity, marketing, supply chain management, government contracting, and exporting; requires annual review and updates beginning 18 months after enactment; directs coordination with SBA for distribution through its resource partners (e.g., small business development centers, women's business centers, SCORE, veteran business outreach centers, and Apex Accelerators); authorizes a grants program to support AI training using these resources; requires an initial report to specified congressional committees within one year of enactment and annual reports thereafter beginning two years after enactment detailing resources developed, small business usage by number and type, and measurable outcomes on revenues, sales, and workforces; and sunsets all authorities three years after enactment.