Meta Hosts 33rd California AI Workshop for Small Businesses in Chico

Meta partnered with ChicoSTART and the California Office of the Small Business Advocate (CalOSBA) to host a free AI training workshop for small business owners on August 12, 2026. Held at The Westport Event Venue in downtown Chico, the session provided local entrepreneurs with the practical skills needed to integrate artificial intelligence into their daily operations.

The event marked the 33rd training session of its kind conducted by Meta across California. The workshop drew participants from various Northern California regions, including Sacramento and Nevada City, focusing on hands-on applications of AI tools to help businesses improve their operational efficiency. Jim Cullinan, a spokesperson for Meta, emphasized the urgency of the training, stating that because AI is moving so quickly, it is vital to invest in small businesses so they can learn these skills early to start or grow their enterprises.

Bridging the Digital Divide

Small businesses have historically lagged behind larger corporations in the adoption of emerging technologies. As AI capabilities evolve rapidly, the gap between enterprise-level automation and small-scale operations threatens to widen. Initiatives like this collaboration between Meta and local hubs like ChicoSTART are designed to bridge this digital divide by removing the financial barrier to entry through free, accessible training. This ensures that local businesses can remain competitive on both national and international scales.

Scaling Local Operations

Integrating AI allows small businesses to scale operations that were previously labor-intensive. By automating functions such as accounting, marketing, and customer service, local owners can expand their reach far beyond their immediate geographic footprint. However, the transition is not without friction; many business owners remain concerned about the costs of implementation, data privacy, and the significant time investment required to master new systems. Nicholas Hastings, acting regional director of the Sac Tech Consortium, described AI as a tool that is "neither good nor bad," but rather a resource that businesses must begin using responsibly.

The Path Forward

As Meta continues its rollout of training sessions across the state, the focus remains on moving from theoretical knowledge to practical implementation. While the Chico workshop provided a foundation, the long-term success of these businesses will depend on their ability to maintain these technical skills as AI tools continue to iterate. Observers will be watching to see if this wave of training leads to a measurable increase in AI adoption among California's small business sector.