The Long Island Association (LIA), through its philanthropic arm the LIA Foundation, is launching the LIA-AI Growth Academy in partnership with Stony Brook University, a free artificial intelligence training program funded by Google.org to provide practical guidance on AI tools to help small businesses scale. The goal is to support Long Island’s small business community with expansion and job creation by providing them with guidance on how AI tools can streamline their operations, engage customers, and strengthen their financial management so they can expand and create jobs.
Businesses with 20 or fewer employees are eligible to apply. The training will kick off on May 19, 2026 with 50 selected businesses and will be followed by virtual sessions led by Stony Brook University, culminating with an in-person session on September 29, 2026 on Stony Brook’s campus.
Stony Brook has assembled a team of experts from the Center of Excellence in Wireless and Information Technology (CEWIT) and the AI Innovation Institute, along with experienced business advisors from the Long Island Small Business Development Center (Stony Brook) to deliver this impactful workforce training program.
LIA-AI Growth Academy Program Details
- Businesses with 20 or fewer full time employees based in Nassau County or Suffolk County are eligible to apply.
- Applications must be submitted online by April 22, 2026 at 11:59 PM.
- Applicants may be required to provide additional information during the review process and will undergo two background checks prior to acceptance into the program (individual and business).
- Please submit questions to: aiacademy@longislandassociation.org
