PayPal partners with Anthropic on launch of free AI Fluency for Small Business online course
PayPal is teaming with Anthropic on a new AI Fluency for Small Businesses course.
“PayPal is proud to partner with Anthropic to help small and medium-sized businesses harness the full potential of the AI led economy,” says 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 aims to allow people to learn at their own pace, with instructions rooted in the 4D AI Fluency framework designed to help them 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," says 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."
The course features advice from entrepreneurs like Mak Cabessa, founder of MAKS TIPM Rebuilders and longtime PayPal merchant. His advice for small businesses looking to put AI to work is, 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.
PayPal says it will continue partnering with nonprofit organizations to bring AI Fluency for Small Business, and wraparound support services, to small ventures around the world.
2026 RTIH Innovation Awards
AI will be a key focus area at our sister title RTIH’s 2026 Innovation Awards.
The awards are now open for entries and celebrate global retail technology innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world.
Our winners will be revealed at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards Ceremony, taking place at The HAC in Central London on Wednesday, 4th November.
Check out the 2025 winners here.
Our 2025 hall of fame entrants were revealed during a sold out event which took place at The HAC on 16th October and consisted of a drinks reception, three course meal, and awards ceremony presided over by award winning comedian, actress and writer Tiff Stevenson.
In his welcome speech, Scott Thompson, Founder and Editor, RTIH, said: “This is the awards’ fifth year as a physical event. We started off with just 30 people at the South Place Hotel not far from here, then moved to London Bridge Hotel, then The Barbican, and last year RIBA’s HQ in the West End.”
“But I’m conscious of the fact that, to quote the legend that is Taylor Swift, You’re only as hot as your last hit, baby. So, this year we’ve moved to our biggest venue yet, and also pulled in our largest number of entries to date and broken attendance records.”
He added: “This year’s submissions have without doubt been our best yet. To quote one of the judges: The examples of innovative developments across both traditional and digital retail spaces were truly remarkable.”
