OpenAI Community Event
Empowering California Entrepreneurs with Practical AI
On June 25, San Diego State University welcomed small business owners, entrepreneurs, community leaders, and economic development partners to the Tula Community Center for ChatGPT for Small Businesses, a hands-on workshop presented in collaboration with OpenAI Academy and the California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz). The event focused on helping California’s small business community develop practical skills for using generative AI to improve everyday business operations while fostering responsible and effective adoption of emerging technologies.
Designed for business owners, operators, founders, and team leaders, the workshop emphasized practical application over theory. Participants worked directly in ChatGPT throughout the morning, learning how AI can support marketing, customer communications, operations, planning, and administrative work while building reusable workflows tailored to their own organizations. The program also highlighted the collaborative efforts of SDSU, OpenAI, GO-Biz, community partners, and SDSU student leaders working together to expand AI literacy and economic opportunity throughout California.
Building Practical AI Skills for Small Business Success
The workshop was designed to meet business owners where they are, providing an accessible introduction to generative AI without requiring prior technical experience. Rather than presenting AI as a future technology, facilitators demonstrated how ChatGPT can immediately assist with the daily responsibilities that often compete for a small business owner’s time.
Throughout the morning, participants explored techniques for creating stronger prompts, refining AI-generated content, and using ChatGPT as a collaborative business assistant. Demonstrations showed how AI can support common business activities such as customer communications, marketing campaigns, proposal development, onboarding materials, planning documents, internal checklists, and frequently asked questions.
Building on these foundational concepts, participants were introduced to more advanced capabilities, including Search, Data Analysis, Voice Mode, Projects, and structured workflow development. These sessions encouraged attendees to move beyond one-time prompts toward creating repeatable AI-supported processes that could continue providing value after the workshop concluded.
“It was inspiring to see so many local small business owners at the event, representing a wide range of sectors and levels of experience with AI. Events like this are essential to ensuring that AI becomes an equitable tool accessible to all users, especially at the community level.”
Learning Through Hands-On Exploration
A defining feature of the event was its emphasis on active participation. Rather than observing demonstrations alone, attendees worked directly within ChatGPT while facilitators and student assistants provided individualized guidance throughout the workshop.
Participants experimented with prompts, refined AI-generated outputs, and iteratively improved workflows designed around their own business needs. This interactive approach enabled attendees to leave with practical examples they could immediately adapt within their organizations.
The workshop created an environment where business owners openly discussed their unique operational challenges, shared ideas with fellow entrepreneurs, and learned from one another’s experiences while exploring how generative AI could support sustainable business growth.
Collaboration Across Higher Education, Industry, and State Government
The event reflected a shared commitment to expanding responsible AI adoption through partnerships that connect higher education, industry expertise, and public service.
OpenAI Academy partnered with the California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz), the Asian Business Association, the San Diego & Imperial Small Business Development Center, and San Diego State University to provide practical AI education tailored specifically for California’s small business community.
As California’s lead office for business assistance, job growth, and economic development, GO-Biz plays an important role in supporting entrepreneurs across the state’s diverse economy. By collaborating with SDSU and OpenAI, the workshop demonstrated how academic institutions and public agencies can work together to increase access to emerging technologies that strengthen local businesses and regional economic development.
Student Leadership in Action
SDSU Student AI Fellows and student assistants from the SDSU IT Division played an integral role throughout the event, working alongside OpenAI facilitators to support participants during the hands-on activities.
Students answered questions, helped attendees refine prompts, demonstrated ChatGPT features, and provided individualized assistance as participants developed their own AI-enabled business solutions. Their involvement highlighted SDSU’s commitment to experiential learning while demonstrating how students can serve as valuable partners in advancing AI literacy within the broader community.
By connecting university talent with local entrepreneurs, the workshop created meaningful opportunities for collaboration that benefited both students and business owners while reinforcing SDSU’s role as a regional leader in applied artificial intelligence.
From Individual Skills to Community Impact
Beyond individual learning outcomes, the workshop demonstrated how practical AI education can strengthen California’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
By equipping business owners with accessible, responsible approaches to generative AI, the event helped participants identify new ways to increase productivity, improve customer engagement, streamline operations, and focus more time on strategic decision making. The emphasis on practical implementation ensured that attendees left with reusable workflows rather than abstract concepts alone.
The collaboration among SDSU, OpenAI Academy, GO-Biz, and regional business organizations also illustrates the growing importance of cross-sector partnerships in expanding equitable access to emerging technologies. As generative AI continues to reshape the workplace, initiatives such as this workshop help ensure that small businesses have opportunities to build the knowledge and confidence needed to participate fully in California’s evolving innovation economy.
Organizers, Presenters, and Partners
Organizers
- OpenAI Academy
- San Diego State University
- California Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz)
Community Partners
- Asian Business Association
- San Diego & Imperial Small Business Development Center
SDSU Partners
- SDSU AI Student Fellows and IT Student Assistants
- Audrey Bowman, Master of Public Health, Health Management and Policy, College of Health and Human Services
- Elsa Barakos-Zweifel, Undergraduate Finance Major, Political Science Minor, Weber Honors College and Fowler College of Business
- Oscar Coronado, Bachelor in Computer Engineering, College of Engineering
- Omer Lazaro, Bachelor in Statistics with an emphasis in Data Science, College of Sciences
- Rutger Hadge, Ph.D. in Education, Joint Doctoral Program with Claremont Graduate University, College of Education
- SDSU IT Leaders
- Dr. James Frazee, Vice President for IT & Chief Information Officer
- Dr. Sean Hauze, Chief Operating Officer for IT