AI and Digital Upskilling Summit: Practical Skills for Small Businesses and Workforce Partners
This half-day summit is designed to help small business owners and community partners build practical digital and AI skills they can immediately apply to their work.
Participants will leave with tangible tools, simple workflows, and real outputs that support day-to-day operations, marketing, and decision-making.
Hosted in partnership with the Illinois Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at the Polsky Exchange and Miss ChatGPT101, this experience brings together small business owners, workforce development organizations, and students to explore how AI can support both business growth and workforce readiness.
Aligned with the mission of the SBDC, this summit focuses on hands-on, accessible training that helps businesses operate more efficiently and competitively.
What to Expect
Bring your laptop — this is a hands-on experience
Live demos and guided walkthroughs
Beginner-friendly sessions with optional deeper dives
Real examples you can apply immediately
AGENDA
Main Stage
9:00 – 9:30 AM: Check-in + Networking
9:30 – 9:45 AM: Welcome + Opening Remarks
9:45 – 10:15 AM
The Future of Work, Now: How AI Is Reshaping Jobs, Skills, and Opportunity
10:15 – 11:15 AM
Build Your Website Live (Beginner)
Create a simple, functional website in real time — no technical experience required.
In partnership with Lovable
11:15 AM – 12:15 PM
The Chicago Playbook: Hiring Your First AI Agent (Intermediate)
In this interactive session, you’ll set up your first AI agent using Claude Co-Work.
12:15 – 12:45 PM
Next Gen in Action: How Students Are Using AI to Support Small Businesses
12:45 – 1:00 PM: Closing Remarks
Breakout Sessions
11:00 AM – 11:30 AM
ChatGPT 101 (English) (Beginner)
A step-by-step introduction to getting started with ChatGPT
11:30 AM – 12:00 PM
ChatGPT 101 (Spanish) (Beginner)
A step-by-step introduction to getting started with ChatGPT
12:00 PM – 12:30 PM
Your AI Coach (Beginner)
Learn how to use AI as a thinking partner for planning, problem-solving, and daily workflows