A new initiative launched last week highlights how small and medium‑sized enterprises across Europe can finally benefit from practical AI skills. OpenAI and Booking.com have partnered to introduce the SME AI Accelerator, a pan‑European programme designed to train 20,000 small and medium‑sized enterprises in how to adopt and integrate AI tools into their daily operations. The programme is part of OpenAI’s broader EU Economic Blueprint 2.0, a framework aimed at closing the continent’s AI adoption gap and boosting productivity across sectors.

Why This Matters for SMEs

While larger companies have rapidly moved to embed AI into operations, many smaller businesses lag far behind. According to recent Eurostat‑based reporting, only 17% of European SMEs had adopted AI tools by the end of 2025, a stark contrast with adoption rates above 55% for larger enterprises. This gap threatens to widen competitive disparities, particularly as efficiency gains from AI become crucial in areas like customer service, operational automation, and targeted marketing.

With SMEs accounting for 99% of businesses in the EU, equipping smaller firms with AI skills is a strategic economic priority.

How the SME AI Accelerator Works

The accelerator offers a hybrid learning model, combining in‑person workshops, virtual sessions, and tailored training modules through the OpenAI Academy. The curriculum emphasises practical skills rather than abstract theory, helping business owners and staff understand how AI can be used for real‑world tasks like:

• Automating customer communications
• Generating business‑specific insights from data
• Streamlining internal workflows
• Enhancing digital marketing strategies

Initially, the accelerator will roll out in France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Ireland and the UK, with participating countries chosen for both their large SME populations and their evolving tech ecosystems.

Part of a Bigger Strategy

The SME AI Accelerator sits at the heart of OpenAI’s EU Economic Blueprint 2.0, which outlines a set of initiatives to encourage broader AI uptake, strengthen skills, and ensure that Europe’s workforce and businesses are equipped for the next decade of tech‑driven growth. These initiatives also include expanded access to OpenAI tools for governments and a €500,000 grant to support youth safety research related to AI.

This coordinated approach reflects a growing recognition that AI skills training complements regulatory frameworks (like the EU AI Act) by helping organisations adopt technology responsibly while navigating compliance and ethical use.

Implications for Australian SMEs

Although the SME AI Accelerator is a Europe‑focused program, its implications extend globally, including to Australian small businesses. Australian SMEs face similar challenges around AI adoption, with a recent report finding that only about 20% of Australian small businesses are currently leveraging AI technologies; this often due to limited resources, skills, or awareness.

Programs like the SME AI Accelerator provide a valuable model for how Australian business support organisations and governments might design practical, accessible AI training tailored to local needs. As AI becomes an essential business tool worldwide, Australian SMEs can look to these international initiatives as a blueprint for upskilling, innovation, and navigating the digital economy’s future.

Furthermore, Australian businesses already have access to OpenAI’s AI platforms, enabling them to experiment with many of the same tools and automation opportunities. Increased awareness and government-backed training programs like Europe’s could soon accelerate AI adoption and help Australian SMEs boost productivity, reduce costs, and compete globally.

The post How OpenAI and Booking.com Are Empowering 20,000 SMEs appeared first on Small Business Connections.

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