Victorian Chamber and Microsoft team up to bring AI to small businesses

AI has been the business buzzword of the past two years, but the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry wants to turn that hype into something useful for small business owners. In partnership with Microsoft, it has launched the AI Enablement Program, a new series of workshops and training designed to give Victorian small business owners the tools and confidence to use AI in everyday operations.

This program is part of the Chamber’s broader THRIVE initiative and fits within Microsoft’s global AI Skills Initiative, which aims to upskill a million people across Australia and New Zealand. In short, it’s a big push to make sure small businesses aren’t left behind in the AI race.

From ‘what is AI?’ to ‘how do I use it?’

The AI Workshop Series is designed with small businesses in mind. The pathway begins with free webinars and self-paced online learning, then moves through to interactive workshops and drop-in clinics.

Antoinette Truda, Executive Director of Commercial Services at The Victorian Chamber, said the service is about boosting productivity and upskilling staff.

“This partnership between the Victorian Chamber and Microsoft is a game-changer for Victorian businesses. AI is not just for tech companies – it’s for every business looking to be more productive, reduce costs and find new opportunities.

“This program is about turning curiosity into capability – helping business owners and their teams understand AI and apply it practically, with support every step of the way.”

AI capability is lagging

The Chamber’s 2024 Business Pulse survey found that 36 per cent of Victorian businesses want to learn how AI could improve their operations and support growth. It’s a clear sign small business owners’ curiosity is strong, but at the same time, Australia is falling behind the rest of the world. The country ranks just 30th out of 36 on the global AI competitiveness index . It’s a reminder that while we’re good at talking about AI, we need more practical adoption if we want to capture the benefits.

And the benefits are big. Independent forecasts suggest AI could deliver $115 billion in economic value and generate up to 200,000 new jobs in Australia by 2030 across both technical and non-technical roles.

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The state of AI uptake in Australia

Across the country, signs of progress are emerging. An AWS report revealed that between 2024 and 2025, one Australian business adopted an AI solution every three minutes. That adds up to around 1.3 million businesses, roughly half of all in the country, using AI in some form, marking a 16 per cent increase in just a year. A Google survey backs that up, showing almost half of Australians (49 per cent) used generative AI tools like ChatGPT or Gemini in the past year, compared to 38 per cent in 2023.

Meanwhile, Fifth Quadrant research found that about 35 per cent of small businesses had taken up AI by mid-2024, while the Department of Industry’s AI Adoption Tracker highlighted the growing focus on responsible AI practices, with more businesses weaving in policies around privacy, security and ethics.

So, while the base is expanding fast, many small businesses are still just experimenting with AI rather than embedding it into daily operations. That’s where structured programs like the Chamber–Microsoft partnership come in.

What’s holding back adoption?

If AI is so promising, why aren’t more small businesses diving in head-first? For most, the barriers are familiar. Time is always in short supply, and training can feel like a luxury when you’re already working overtime. The return on investment isn’t always clear, leaving some business owners unsure whether AI will actually save money or just add another subscription to the pile. Skills shortages are another sticking point, with many teams lacking the know-how to use AI tools effectively. Then there are the fears: worries about data privacy, unconscious bias creeping into systems, or just breaking something important.

The AI Enablement Program is meant to tackle those hurdles head-on. By offering training that is practical, bite-sized and supported, the Chamber and Microsoft are betting more small businesses will feel confident enough to give AI a proper go.

Rachel Bondi, Microsoft’s SME Corporate Vice President for Asia, said:

“We know that skills are the foundation of growth, and we’re proud to partner with the Victorian Chamber to make AI accessible, practical and relevant for every SME. By investing in AI skilling today, we’re helping business owners and their teams build confidence with AI, drive productivity and create new opportunities for Australia’s future.”

A manufacturer’s view from the shop floor

It’s not just theory. Companies already see real potential in AI. At Ensign Laboratories, a manufacturer with more than 500 employees, Head of HR, Grant Wyatt, said the appeal of AI is clear.

“With more than 500 employees in fast-moving manufacturing, we see AI as an opportunity to streamline how we work, free up our people for higher-value tasks and sharpen decision-making across the business.”

He added that what made the chamber’s program stand out was its credibility and structure.

“There are plenty of offerings in the market, but this partnership gives us a credible, structured way to explore AI in a supported environment. The more time we can save our teams from repetitive work, the more energy they can put into culture, capability and innovation.”

Victoria takes pole position

By rolling out the program in Victoria, the Chamber is positioning the state as a leader in AI capability. Small businesses in Victoria make up a huge chunk of the economy, so their early adoption could have ripple effects nationwide.

Unlike global online courses that often miss the local context, these workshops and clinics will be delivered on the ground in Victoria, tailored to local business realities. For time-poor business owners, that local, practical focus could make all the difference.

Is your business ready for an AI future?

AI is already reshaping how Aussie businesses run. The challenge is making sure small and medium-sized businesses aren’t left out of the story.

With the AI Enablement Program, the Victorian Chamber and Microsoft are giving small businesses a fighting chance to turn AI from buzzword into bottom-line benefit. It’s a win for business and the economy.

“Skills are the key to unlocking the power of AI,” Truda concluded.

Find out more about the AI enablement program here.

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