Empowering the Corner Store with Frontier Tech: The LIA-AI Growth Academy Journey

The Long Island business landscape is undergoing a digital transformation that aims to bridge the gap between small-scale entrepreneurship and cutting-edge technology. Through the LIA-AI Growth Academy, 50 local ventures are currently navigating a six-month intensive training program designed to turn artificial intelligence (AI) from a daunting concept into a practical toolkit for success.

Supported by a grant from Google.org, this collaboration led by the Long Island Association (LIA) (through its philanthropic arm, the LIA Foundation) in partnership with experts at Stony Brook University is specifically tailored for companies with 20 or fewer employees. These are the businesses that make up most of our local economy, but often lack the resources to experiment with high-level tech. By providing expert-led training and a $5,000 implementation grant upon completion, the program ensures that Long Island's smallest employers aren't just watching the AI revolution from the sidelines - they are leading it.

Stacey Sikes, acting president and CEO of the LIA, emphasized the program's role in keeping the region's smallest employers competitive as the economy shifts toward AI adoption. "Small businesses are the backbone of Long Island's economy and contribute to the vibrancy of our communities, and this program gives them the tools and expertise needed to compete in an increasingly AI-driven world," she said. "The LIA is proud to partner with world-leading experts at Stony Brook University to help bridge that gap, and we appreciate the commitment of Google.org to ensure that entrepreneurs in our region stay ahead of the curve with this rapidly evolving technology."

"As the Long Island Association celebrates 100 years of supporting economic growth, the LIA-AI Growth Academy represents our continued commitment to future-proofing our local economy," noted Lawrence J. Waldman, board chair of the LIA. "By equipping our region's smallest employers with both cutting-edge AI literacy and the financial resources to implement it, we are ensuring that Long Island remains a competitive and innovative hub for another century."

The LIA is the region's leading business advocacy organization and supports small businesses with direct grants and training through its philanthropic arm the LIA Foundation. The LIA is celebrating 100 years of supporting economic growth and business expansion in 2026.

From Zoom Rooms to Boardrooms

The curriculum, delivered by a powerhouse team from Stony Brook's Center of Excellence in Wireless and Information Technology (CEWIT), the AI Innovation Institute (AI3), and the Long Island Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Stony Brook, goes far beyond theory. Participants have been diving into the "how-to" of AI, mastering everything from efficient prompt engineering to using AI tools to improve customer research, marketing campaigns, financial analysis and operations management.

The program also benefits from Stony Brook University's leadership in artificial intelligence research and innovation, including its key role in Empire AI, New York State's groundbreaking AI computing consortium that is expanding access to advanced AI resources and accelerating research, education and economic development across the state.

The impact on these companies is already becoming visible. Rather than being overwhelmed by the many fast-evolving AI tools, business owners identify specific "pain points," like repetitive administrative tasks or complex marketing schedules, and using AI to reclaim their time and get better results. The goal is to streamline operations so these entrepreneurs can focus on what they do best: building their brand, growing their businesses and creating local jobs.

"It's been exciting to see the momentum and enthusiasm grow throughout the program," said Willa Smith, regional director, Long Island SBDC (Stony Brook). "With participants ranging from AI novices to experienced users, one thing has become clear: combining practical education with meaningful discussions about how AI fits into each business creates real value. As we begin the mentoring phase, we're looking forward to helping each participant develop a tailored AI strategy that supports their business goals."

Real Stories of Adaptation

The program recently hit a high point with a roundtable discussion featuring early adopters who are already seeing results. Local business owners like Elissa Rand of Cleaned to Perfection in East Setauket and Kerri Engblom of Opal Operations in Ridge shared how they are integrating these tools into their daily workflows.

"This opportunity has allowed us to grow and learn through every session. I'm at the stage where I'm ready to take the next step, but I'm not sure Main Street America and many of my fellow business owners yet recognize how important it is to begin learning these new AI tools," said Rand. "We need to help bridge that gap by showing businesses where to start, what foundational building blocks they need and how AI can be introduced in practical, manageable ways. It may take time but helping businesses begin that journey is critical."

"Don't search for the 'perfect' solution to every problem or challenge," shared Engblom. "Pick a specific pain point, find an AI tool, and try it. Don't be discouraged if it doesn't work the first time; keep trying and explore other tools too. Talk to your peers, ask for help and reach out to the training instructors and mentors. Taking that first dive is the hardest part."

And this isn't just about automation; it's about responsible growth. The LIA-AI Growth Academy has brought in domain experts, such as Stony Brook's Chief Privacy Officer Adam Roughley, to guide the participants of the Academy through the complexities of data privacy, copyright and ethical AI usage. This ensures that as these companies leverage the power of frontier technologies such as AI to scale their businesses, they are doing so on a foundation of security, trust and compliance.

"Current AI tools are revolutionary, but their real value lies in how thoughtfully and ethically we apply them. For Long Island businesses bringing AI into their daily workflows, responsible use begins with being intentional," explained Roughly. "It's vital for operators to understand the rules of the systems they're using, such as who owns the output and whether the platform uses company data for its own development purposes. Once we understand those rules, double-check the accuracy of system outputs and protect our privacy and intellectual property, AI stops being a major risk and becomes an invaluable tool for growth."

A Badge of Literacy and a Path Forward

As the program moves toward its grand finale in September, the participating businesses are teaming up with business advisors from the Long Island SBDC (Stony Brook) and AI experts from CEWIT and AI3 to develop their final "AI Deployment Roadmaps." Those who cross the finish line will not only walk away with the funding to get access to AI software tools but also a digital "AI Literacy for Business" badge to showcase their expertise to the world.

A company showcase is planned for September 24, 2026 at CEWIT, where the 50 companies in this cohort of the LIA-AI Growth Academy will present to the public and media who they are, what they've learned, and accept their digital badges and the AI deployment grant.

By the time the final session concludes on the Stony Brook campus, these 50 companies will have transformed from tech-curious to tech-capable, ready to drive a more vibrant and competitive Long Island economy.

"It's been a wonderful journey working with these small companies and non-profit organizations to embrace AI and experiment with the different tools we introduced during this training program," said Rong Zhao, director of CEWIT and the Stony Brook team lead. "These are hardworking people from all parts of Long Island, all striving to offer the best products and services to their customers. Being able to witness firsthand that AI is making a real impact and helping them create new opportunities is extremely rewarding."