Small AI Innovators Empowerment Act

Study for small U.S. AI businesses

If enacted, the bill would require the Commerce Secretary, through NIST and with SBA consultation, to seek an agreement with an expert to study challenges facing small U.S. AI businesses. The study would be done only if Congress provides money. It would examine funding sources (including early and seed funding), loan and collateral effects, use of non‑Federal funding, and timelines to get Federal funding. It would also study use of R&D tax credits, accelerators and incubators, talent recruitment and retention, downstream impacts of Federal policy (including technology stacks, access to computing, cloud services, and data), regulatory uncertainty on exits and acquisitions, and partnerships with larger firms. The study would include definitions for "artificial intelligence," "technology stacks," and a "United States small artificial intelligence business" (a for‑profit, U.S.‑headquartered, independently owned firm with 250 or fewer employees that primarily makes or customizes AI), and it would offer proposals and recommendations to address identified challenges.