AI Becomes the Growth Engine for Small Businesses

Artificial intelligence has rapidly evolved from a luxury technology to a necessity for small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs). A recent Salesforce survey of over 3,350 SMB leaders reveals that 75% are already investing in AI, with more than a third fully integrating it into daily operations.

The surge in adoption is fueled by AI’s ability to automate repetitive tasks and optimize limited resources. SMBs are using AI for content creation, marketing automation, product recommendations, natural language search, and round-the-clock customer support through chatbots. These intelligent tools help smaller firms compete with larger enterprises by enhancing efficiency and customer experience.

Data also highlights a strong link between AI investment and growth—AI-driven SMBs are nearly twice as likely to report business expansion compared to those not using the technology. By cutting manual work, AI enables teams to focus on strategy, innovation, and customer relationships.

Still, some SMBs proceed cautiously due to concerns about data security, integration challenges, and customer trust. Many are adopting a phased approach, starting with trusted, low-risk platforms before scaling up.

As AI matures, it will shift from being a differentiator to a baseline requirement for competitiveness. With planned increases in AI investment, SMBs expect greater productivity, higher revenue, and deeper customer engagement—marking the dawn of a new era of intelligent, digitally driven growth.