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The House of Representatives adopted a bill it would require the government to create greater access to artificial intelligence (AI) education for small businesses Tuesday evening.
AI for Main Street Law passed with broad bipartisan support by a vote of 395 to 14. Eleven Republicans and three Democrats voted against the measure.
“Main Street is on the cusp of a major transformation because the AI revolution is not only coming, it is already here,” Rep. Mark Alford, R-Mo., the bill’s sponsor, said in a statement after its passage.
Rep. Mark Alford, R-Mo. (Office of Rep. Mark Alford/Fox News Digital)
“We are ensuring that entrepreneurs and job creators are not left behind. Our AI for Main Street Act will provide small businesses with the resources, education, and training needed to responsibly use artificial intelligence.
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The AI for Main Street Act would lead the Small Business Administration (SBA) and its Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) to help startups learn how to adopt AI technology by providing training and outreach.
The bill fits into the pre-existing SBDC framework.
The United States Capitol in Washington, DC on May 18, 2025. (Alex Wroblewski/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
According to According to the SBA, SBDCs exist to help small businesses access capital, exchange information about new technologies, improve business planning, and manage finances and personnel administration.
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The SBA says he has at least 900 service points that coordinate 62 SBDC centers throughout the country.
The bill provides no additional funding for its new AI guidelines.
Alford said he feared as much large companies would quickly integrate AI technologies while smaller businesses would struggle to adopt new tools and fall behind.
Rep. Mark Alford is introducing a bill to defund DEI programs in the federal government. (Getty Images)
“We want small business owners to understand not only what AI can do, but also how to use it safely, ethically and effectively,” Alford said in a speech on his bill.
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“This bill is about empowering people, not replacing them. I’m proud to see the House pass our bipartisan bill to defend small businesses,” Alford added.
The bill, after being approved by the House, heading to the Senate for consideration.