- New data reveals over half (57%) of small business owners are using AI
- One in four (27%) rely on AI daily to help run their business, with a third (34%) crediting AI with improving efficiencies
- Nearly a third (30%) see no threat from AI to their business in the long-term
Artificial intelligence may have once seemed like a distant innovation, but for small business owners across the UK, it’s fast becoming an everyday tool that’s reshaping how they work and grow.
New research from VistaPrint, the leading partner to small businesses, reveals that more than half (57%) of small business owners (SBOs) are already using AI in their business operations.
As AI quickly moves from a novel concept into an essential tool, SBOs are embracing its potential to drive efficiency, scale operations, and unlock new opportunities and no longer view AI as a long-term threat to their business (30%).
In fact, over a quarter (27%) are now using AI on a daily basis, increasing to an additional 45% for those using AI a few times a week. Whether it’s expanding payment options, tapping into new customer segments, or refining their marketing strategies, small businesses are increasingly turning to AI to power innovation and growth as it becomes a part of small businesses day to day operations. Among those not yet using AI, nearly one in five (19%) are considering adopting in the near future.
Among the common uses of AI, many businesses are using the technology to support research and data analysis. Two in five (40%) SBOs are using AI to gain insights that help them compete with larger industry players. It’s also proving valuable in day-to-day communications as over a third (35%) use AI to help write emails, while 29% apply it to customer service tasks, saving both time and money.
For many SBOs, the biggest benefit of AI is improved efficiency, cited by 34% of respondents. Others point to its ability to reduce business costs (14%), enhance customer service (11%), and streamline decision-making (9%). In total, 84% of SBOs report that AI has had a positive impact on their business. Sole traders in particular are seeing results, with 79% saying AI has helped them run their business more effectively.
Sabine Levellier, VP of marketing at VistaPrint, said: “As a leading supporter of small businesses, it’s important to highlight the tools and advancements that small business owners (SBOs) can use to grow. More SBOs are turning to emerging technologies to scale their operations, and AI, in particular, is enabling them to work smarter and grow faster.”
