South Pasadena offers free AI workshop for small businesses in May 2026

South Pasadena is offering a free online AI workshop for small businesses on May 21, 2026. The session will cover what AI is, how it works, ways to use AI to save time, and ideas for increasing revenue. Organizers say registration is open, and speaker details may be announced later. Early findings suggest many small businesses are starting to use AI, so this workshop might help those who want to learn more without needing a big budget or technical skills. The event is part of local support programs that aim to help businesses with new technology.

In a move to empower local entrepreneurs, South Pasadena is hosting a free AI workshop for small businesses on May 21, 2026. Titled "AI 101 for Small Businesses," the 90-minute webinar is designed to demystify artificial intelligence and demonstrate its practical applications. The event is listed on both the South Pasadena city calendar and a corresponding Ventura Chamber listing.

This initiative addresses a significant trend identified by the San Francisco Fed, which found that nearly 40 percent of small businesses are using or planning to use AI. The workshop aims to provide accessible, entry-level guidance for entrepreneurs who want to explore AI for content creation, research, and time management without requiring a large budget or specialized technical staff.

Workshop Schedule and Registration

This free 90-minute online workshop is designed for South Pasadena small business owners who want to understand and use artificial intelligence. The session will cover foundational AI concepts, practical applications for saving time, and strategies for increasing revenue, all without needing a technical background or large budget.

Date: Thursday, 21 May 2026
Time: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM PDT
Platform: Zoom
Fee: Free
Registration: bit.ly/EdcSbdcAIWebinarSeries

What You Will Learn

The curriculum focuses on four key areas to ensure participants leave with actionable knowledge:

A plain-language definition of artificial intelligence.
An overview of how common AI tools work.
Practical ways to automate or accelerate routine business tasks.
Actionable ideas for using AI insights to increase revenue.

Part of South Pasadena's Business Support Ecosystem

This webinar is an extension of ongoing local business support programs from the City of South Pasadena's Economic Development Division. It complements existing resources like the Business Concierge initiative and networking events from the South Pasadena Chamber (626-441-2339), helping attendees integrate new AI tactics into their daily operations.

As AI continues to reshape marketing, finance, and customer service, this workshop offers a valuable, no-cost opportunity to stay competitive. Small business owners are encouraged to reserve a spot through the registration link, as seating is limited. Monitor the chamber page for speaker announcements and other updates.

When and where is the free AI workshop for South Pasadena small businesses?

Thursday, May 21, 2026 from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM PDT
Format: Live Zoom webinar
Cost: Completely free of charge

Registration is now open at this secure link. Mark the date and set a calendar reminder; the session is expected to fill quickly.

What will I actually learn in the 90-minute session?

The pragmatic curriculum is built around four pillars:

What AI is - a clear, jargon-free definition
How AI works - the core mechanics every owner should know
How to use AI to save time - hands-on demos for repetitive tasks
How to use AI to make money - revenue-generating tactics you can deploy the same week

Expect live walk-throughs of free or low-cost tools, breakout polls to tailor examples to your industry, and a printable checklist so you can implement one tactic within 24 hours.

Who should attend? Do I need tech skills?

Ideal attendees
- Owners or managers of brick-and-mortar shops, restaurants, services, e-commerce stores, and non-profits with fewer than 50 employees
- Absolute beginners - no coding or data-science background required

The workshop is device-agnostic: you can follow along on a laptop, tablet, or even a smartphone.

How does the session fit into South Pasadena's wider support ecosystem?

The City of South Pasadena and the South Pasadena Chamber of Commerce are pooling resources to give local businesses a competitive edge. This AI 101 webinar is the first of a planned quarterly series.
If you are already engaged with the City's Business Concierge Program or attend Chamber networking breakfasts, this workshop dovetails directly with those offerings. Questions asked during the webinar will feed future in-person masterminds hosted at 1121 Mission Street.

What results have other California small businesses seen after adopting AI?

Recent Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco data shows that nearly 40 % of surveyed California small businesses are already using or will soon use AI. Typical first-year outcomes reported:

3 - 5 hours saved per week on email and social-media drafting
12 - 18 % jump in online conversion rates through AI-driven product descriptions
Up to 25 % reduction in customer-support response times via chatbots that handle FAQs

The workshop will showcase three California case studies - a neighborhood bakery, a boutique fitness studio, and a landscaping company - illustrating exactly how similar gains can be replicated in South Pasadena.