Small Business AI Adoption Declines To Just 28%
From Yahoo Finance: 2025-06-09 07:34:00
According to a recent survey by NEXT, small business owners are dialing back on AI tool adoption. While some rely on AI for efficiency, others have stopped incorporating it due to cost and complexity barriers. In 2025, only 28% of small businesses reported using AI, down from 42% in 2024.
Enthusiasm for AI adoption has cooled, with only 23% of business owners considering adding AI in 2025. Data shows that small businesses mainly use AI for content creation, marketing, customer service, and product recommendations. However, 58% of owners do not plan to use AI at all.
Despite the decline in AI adoption, some business owners find value in using AI tools. Marketing expert Brendan Egan advises leveraging AI to assist, not replace, in tasks like content creation and promotions. Small business owners are increasingly using AI for marketing and content creation, with 11% utilizing it for this purpose.
While AI can help with various tasks like copy creation and image editing, it’s crucial for small business owners to understand AI’s limitations. AI-powered chatbots, scheduling tools, accounting, and payroll platforms are being used by small businesses to improve efficiency and productivity.
Despite the potential benefits of AI, small business owners have mixed feelings about its impact. Some believe AI could boost revenue and efficiency, while others see it as a threat or expect a decrease in profits. Obstacles to AI adoption include cost, lack of education, and data management challenges faced by small businesses.