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 ground-breaking AI computing consortium that is expanding access to advanced AI resources and accelerating research, education and economic development across the state.
Read about the impact on these companies on the SBU News website.