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Eighty-two percent of small businesses surveyed say adopting AI is essential to staying competitive, but seventy-three percent say they don’t have the tools or training to do it. PayPal is partnering with Anthropic to close that gap. 

AI Fluency for Small Business is a free online course offering practical, expert-backed training built around real advice from small business owners. It’s a meaningful step toward our 2030 goal of supporting 25 million people and small businesses with the skills they need to thrive in the digital economy. 

“PayPal is proud to partner with Anthropic to help small and medium-sized businesses harness the full potential of the AI-led economy,” said Amy Bonitatibus, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, PayPal. “Together, we are equipping business owners and entrepreneurs with the tools, expertise, and trusted infrastructure they need to compete and thrive — and creating new opportunities for them to innovate, grow, and better serve their customers.” 

The course includes nine lessons featuring videos from AI fluency researchers and small business owners. The interactive, on-demand format allows people to learn at their own pace, with instructions rooted in the 4D AI Fluency framework designed to help people use AI safely and effectively. Upon completion, learners earn a certificate that can be shared with their social networks.  

"The next wave of AI adoption is going to be driven by corner shops, solo founders, and family businesses — some of the most resourceful operators in the economy," said Dr. Kristen Swanson, AI Fluency Researcher, Anthropic. "AI Fluency for Small Business gives them practical, proven training that's already worked for more than a million learners. By partnering with PayPal, we can help get important training and resources to millions of small businesses and entrepreneurs."
 

Meet Mak: From Local Shop to Global Reach 

The course features advice from entrepreneurs like Mak Cabessa, founder of MAKS TIPM Rebuilders and longtime PayPal merchant. Mak started his business nearly a decade ago and, with the help of a PayPal Working Capital loan, has grown it to reach customers around the world. His advice for small businesses looking to put AI to work is refreshingly practical: give AI the context it needs, question what it gives back, treat it as an iterative conversation, and upload as much background information as you can. Simple principles, but the kind that actually changes how you work. 
 

AI That Does the Work, Not Just the Talking 

Also launching: Claude for Small Business, a new plugin from Anthropic that connects Claude to the tools small business owners already use and gets the work done. By connecting to PayPal’s platform, Claude handles tasks like invoicing and refunds, requiring approval before anything is sent or paid. It also integrates with tools like QuickBooks, HubSpot, and Canva so business owners can manage more of their operations in one place.  
 

What’s Next 

PayPal will continue partnering with nonprofit organizations to bring AI Fluency for Small Business, and wraparound support services, to small businesses around the world. The goal is simple: make sure the tools reshaping the economy are within reach for everyone building something. 

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