When the business world discusses “the future,” they discuss the present.

AI automation is no longer a distant possibility; it’s transforming how we work, sell, serve, and grow. 71% of organizations now use AI in at least one business function, and that number is climbing fast.

The question for small and medium businesses (SMBs) isn’t if you should start, but how soon. Every missed opportunity, bottleneck, and hour spent on low-value work is time and money that could go toward growth. AI automation isn’t about following a trend but securing your business’s future.

AI Has Leveled the Playing Field

A few years ago, AI tools were expensive, complex, and mainly out of reach for smaller companies. That’s changed. Today’s AI platforms are affordable, easy to implement, and often require little to no back-end overhaul.

That means SMBs now have access to the same operational efficiencies and customer experience upgrades that used to be reserved for enterprise-level players, without the enterprise-level budget.

And the adoption wave is already well underway:

• The number of employees who reported using AI jumped to 78% in 2024, from 55% in 2023.

• 21% reporting gen AI use by their organizations say their organizations have fundamentally redesigned at least some workflows

• The global AI market is projected to leap from $189B in 2023 to $4.8T by 2033; a 25x increase in just ten years.

The reality? Businesses that delay AI adoption risk falling behind competitors who can deliver faster, cheaper, and more personalized service.

What’s Driving SMBs Toward AI Now

Three core drivers fuel AI adoption for small businesses:

1. Efficiency - Free your team from repetitive, time-consuming tasks like manual data entry, scheduling, or basic customer inquiries.

2. Resilience - Build processes that adapt to demand spikes or sudden operational changes without scrambling to hire.

3. Innovation - Unlock new ways to serve customers, explore untapped markets, and test new products faster.

Imagine your customer support team no longer swamped with “Where’s my order?” emails because a chatbot handles them instantly. Or your field service team will never miss a lead because an AI assistant schedules and confirms every appointment in real time.

The Human-Centered Side of AI

One of the biggest misconceptions about AI automation is that it’s designed to replace people. In reality, it’s designed to empower them. The goal is to elevate human talent by removing the tedious, rules-based work that clogs up their day so that they can focus on creative problem-solving, relationship building, and strategic growth.

This isn’t about robots replacing humans. It’s about humans and AI working together in ways that make both more effective.

Starting Now Doesn’t Mean Starting Big

Here’s the best news: adopting AI automation doesn’t require an expensive, risky “all-in” project. In fact, starting small is usually the most innovative approach.

Most organizations begin by applying AI where the payoff is fastest and most visible. According to McKinsey, companies use generative AI in marketing and sales, product and service development, service operations, and software engineering. These areas are where AI tools can be deployed quickly, deliver measurable results, and build early momentum for broader adoption.

By focusing on a single, high-impact use case, you can:

• Test the waters with minimal risk.

• Prove ROI quickly.

• Build momentum and employee buy-in for bigger changes.

It’s not about how much AI you can adopt in a year;  it’s about making meaningful improvements that stick.

Your Next Step

Over the coming weeks, this blog series will walk you through adopting AI in your small business, from clarifying your needs to choosing your first project to measuring success.

Next in our series: What AI Automation Really Means (and What It Doesn’t), where we cut through the hype and show you what AI can do for your business right now.

Sources: 

• Stanford University, Human Centered Artificial Intelligence, 2024

• The state of AI, McKinsey & Co, 2025