AI for Main Street: Expanding Access & Powering the Next Wave of Small Business Growth

For small and mid-sized businesses, AI is no longer a future consideration, it’s a present competitive reality. Across growing tech hubs and global startup communities, founders are seeking practical pathways to adopt intelligent tools without enterprise-level resources. This panel explores the partnerships, education platforms, capital access points, and curated networks helping entrepreneurs operationalize AI while staying rooted in community. From advisory models to cross-border ecosystem collaboration, leaders examine how emerging markets can leapfrog legacy infrastructure and compete at scale. How do we expand access responsibly? And what role do ecosystems play in turning AI potential into durable economic growth?