Together with OpenAI and Booking.com, our member BVMW, the German Association for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, is launching a series of free AI workshops for small and medium-sized businesses across Germany. The initiative is part of the larger European “SME AI Accelerator” programme, spanning across France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Ireland, and the United Kingdom. It aims to equip 20,000 SMEs across the six countries with tangible artificial intelligence knowledge and skills by the end of 2026.
Designed to provide hands-on insights into the business applications of AI, the workshops focus specifically on SMEs by providing them with knowledge and real-world successful implementations. Experts from the OpenAI Academy deliver practical training on topics ranging from revenue growth and operational efficiency to the development of simple, business-oriented AI workflows. The sessions cover key use cases including content creation, customer communication, operational processes, and introductory automation.
The programme requires no technical background and is free of charge, tackling one of the most persistent obstacles to AI adoption among SMEs. Many SMEs struggle to implement artificial intelligence tools because of their lack of expertise, limited resources, or heavy reliance on traditional practices, which results in missed opportunities surrounding their efficiency and growth. With this series of training programmes, the SME AI Accelerator is built to address those issues directly. It combines three formats designed to translate AI curiosity into tangible habits: recorded webinars featuring AI experts; in-person workshops with practical exercises; and scalable virtual sessions supporting participation and follow-through.
By helping SMEs adapt to the new digital global economic environment, the initiative constitutes an important step towards increasing the competitiveness and digital resilience of Europe’s SME ecosystem.
Source:
