Why millions of small businesses are finally turning to AI, and where they're starting
Generative AI is making it cheaper and faster to launch companies, and 91% of small businesses report higher revenue after using it.
- New business applications reached 5.7 million last year, the most in two decades, with 2026 on pace to beat that record. Apollo Global Management Chief Economist Torsten Slok said AI is playing a "very big role" in the boom.
- Generative AI is "spurring entrepreneurial activity" by making it cheaper and faster to launch businesses, according to a University of British Columbia study. These tools automate legal, marketing, and accounting tasks, allowing founders to build with leaner teams.
- Small business owners report substantial gains, with 91% seeing revenue increases and 87% noting improved efficiency. Former flight attendant Cassidy Winkler used ChatGPT to build Revel Method Pilates, which now employs 65 people across three locations.
- Despite adoption gains, 42% of small business owners experienced burnout in the past month, according to the Capital One Insights Center. Meanwhile, 33% cited lack of time as their primary growth impediment.
- Approximately 29,700 new employer businesses are expected to form monthly over the next year, representing a 17% increase over 2025 estimates. This trajectory positions AI-reliant entrepreneurship as a sustained driver of economic growth.
15 Articles
15 Articles
Viewpoint: Congress should help small businesses put AI to work
LaToya Russell, founder of The OBM Office, states small business owners should be empowered to use AI, especially for administrative and support staff. The post Viewpoint: Congress should help small businesses put AI to work appeared first on Delaware Business Times.
Tech Radar
technewstube.comNew data claims small businesses haven't expanded their use of AI in the past few years
The number of companies using AI is up, but the number of tools per company hasn't grown muchONS data also confirms that AI doesn't seem to be having a major impact on headcountSMBs could be lacking a clear business use case for AINew ONS data has claimed that while AI adoption has expanded rapidly across UK businesses, the actual depth of adoption is still limited, with most firms using just a small number of tools to improve existing processes…
Why millions of small businesses are finally turning to AI, and where they're starting
The U.S. is home to more than 36 million small businesses, the Small Business Administration reported in 2025. And, of all employer firms in the U.S. in 2022, Census data shows 79% had fewer than 10 employees. Nearly half (42%) of small business owners say they have experienced burnout in the past month, according to a national survey by Capital One Insights Center. In this environment, the appeal of AI becomes clear; it can ease the drain of ti…
Why millions of small businesses are finally turning to AI, and where they're starting - The Mexico Ledger
Why millions of small businesses are finally turning to AI, and where they're startingThe U.S. is home to more than 36 million small businesses, the Small Business Administration reported in 2025. And, of all employer firms in the U.S. in 2022, Census data shows 79% had fewer than 10 employees. Nearly half (42%) of small business owners say they have experienced burnout in the past month, according to a national survey by Capital One Insights Ce…
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