呦乐园

呦乐园 and UGA SBDC Partner to Bring AI Training to Rural Small Businesses

呦乐园 Professor Dr. Krishnendu Roy presents during the course session in Valdosta in May.

VALDOSTA, Ga. - In a strategic effort to expand access to emerging technologies for small businesses in South Georgia, 呦乐园 (呦乐园) and the University of Georgia Small Business Development Center (UGA SBDC) teamed up to deliver practical, hands-on training in artificial intelligence. The initiative is a powerful example of how two of Georgia’s public higher education institutions are collaborating to meet the evolving needs of rural entrepreneurs, helping level the playing field, and build a more competitive and tech-savvy business community.

The result of this collaboration is More Than Marketing: Leveling the Playing Field with AI, a practical, non-credit course tailored to small business owners and working professionals. Developed jointly by 呦乐园 computer science faculty and UGA SBDC consultants, the course introduces AI fundamentals and real-world applications in business operations, marketing, human resources, and finance. Two sessions – one in Valdosta in May 2025 and another in Douglas in July 2025 – were offered at no cost to participants.

“In today’s rapidly evolving world of AI technologies, it is essential for small businesses to stay informed about the latest developments and harness these innovations to enhance their products and services,” said Krishnendu Roy, head of 呦乐园’s Department of Computer Science.

The training was part of 呦乐园 Department of Computer Science’s broader effort to strengthen AI-focused outreach through its Rural AI Solutions and Engagement (RAISE) project. Funded by a three-year, $380,000 National Science Foundation grant (Award # 2433243) through the Enabling Partnerships to Increase Innovation Capacity (EPIIC) program, the project aims to build partnerships across rural Georgia that connect AI innovation with real-world business needs.

To turn that goal into action, project co-investigator and 呦乐园 professor Dr. R. Paul Mihail suggested partnering with the UGA SBDC. He knew the center’s strong ties to the business community and reputation for delivering relevant, results-driven education. Alyssa Foskey, area director of the UGA SBDC at 呦乐园, quickly saw the opportunity to offer practical AI training to entrepreneurs across the region. Roy, Mihail, and fellow 呦乐园 faculty member Zhiguang Xu teamed up with Foskey to bring the idea to life.

“This new partnership was driven by two key pillars: strong relationships and a trusted reputation,” said Foskey. “These foundational elements created the mutual confidence and alignment needed to move forward together, paving the way for meaningful collaboration and shared success.”

Foskey reached out to Robbie Parks, the UGA SBDC’s statewide continuing education trainer, to design and deliver the course. A nationally recognized expert in AI education for small businesses, Parks is a lead contributor to America’s SBDC AI U, a national program that equips business consultants with AI training resources.

“There is a real need for accessible, practical training in rural Georgia, especially when it comes to emerging technologies like AI,” said Parks. “This program helps level the playing field by giving small business owners the tools and confidence they need to stay competitive in a rapidly changing landscape.”

The two sessions drew nearly 100 participants from nine counties across South Georgia. Attendees represented a wide range of sectors – including manufacturing, health care, retail and professional services – and learned to structure effective AI prompts, explore custom GPT tools, and understand key topics like data ethics and the limitations of generative AI.

“We are excited to partner with the UGA SBDC and utilize our NSF EPIIC RAISE grant funds to offer these workshops. We look forward to the many partnerships and the opportunities that will grow from them,” said Roy.

One participant, Ben Woodall, a formulation chemist with Valdosta-based CJB Industries, said the course broadened his understanding of AI’s role in the workplace.

"I appreciated the insight into the potential drawbacks and pitfalls of the use of AI; it gives me a better understanding of the limitations and sets my expectations," said Woodall.

The response was overwhelmingly positive: more than 94% of surveyed participants reported gaining skills and knowledge they could immediately apply to their business, and 98% said they planned to implement something they learned during the session.

For Foskey, the impact of the training reflects more than just numbers.

 “The training initiative is made possible through the unwavering support of our community partners, economic development organizations, and local chambers,” Foskey said. “Their collaboration in promoting our programs ensures that more businesses gain access to vital educational resources – empowering growth and innovation across our great state.”

More on the Web:

UGA Small Business Development Center at 呦乐园: /colleges/business/small-business-development-center/

呦乐园: /

呦乐园's Department of Computer Science and Engineering Technology: /cset/