Small businesses are rapidly embracing Artificial Intelligence, with 76% of small businesses saying they are currently using artificial intelligence, and the results have been overwhelmingly positive. Among those using Artificial Intelligence, 93% say Artificial Intelligence has had a positive impact on their business, with 84% citing increased efficiency and productivity as the primary benefit. Small businesses report that Artificial Intelligence is supporting rather than replacing their workforce, with 87% saying Artificial Intelligence augments rather than displaces employees.
Momentum is likely to continue as businesses look for stronger financial returns from these tools. Looking ahead, 67% expect to see increased revenue from using Artificial Intelligence. Even with that optimism, adoption remains uneven across day-to-day operations. Only 14% of small businesses are fully integrating Artificial Intelligence into core operations, suggesting many are still in early stages of adoption.
Several persistent obstacles are slowing broader implementation. Of all those using Artificial Intelligence, many said they have faced challenges such as concerns about data privacy and security (50%), a lack of technical expertise (49%), and difficulty choosing the right Artificial Intelligence tools (48%). Small businesses also make clear that they want more practical support as they evaluate and deploy these systems. 73% say their business would benefit from additional access to training and resources necessary to successfully implement and evaluate Artificial Intelligence.
Support for government action is strong. 85% support the Artificial Intelligence for Main Street Act, which directs the Small Business Administration and Small Business Development Centers to help small businesses learn how to adopt Artificial Intelligence by providing training and outreach. The findings point to a clear gap between enthusiasm for Artificial Intelligence and the support many small businesses need to embed it more deeply into core operations.
