AI isn’t only for enterprises; it’s time for SMBs to cash in
If corporate behemoths and tech specialists are finding it difficult, how can SMBs keep up?
The tech industry is currently focused on concerns surrounding AI spend, with debates centered around whether organizations are investing too much or moving too quickly. However, small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) face unique challenges in realizing return on investment (ROI) from AI. Large corporations can afford to experiment and transform, but SMBs often struggle to see the impact of their AI investments.
For SMBs, AI can be complex and rapidly evolving, and they may lack the resources to properly assess and develop a strategy. Many SMBs are hesitant to move beyond experimentation due to uncertainty about AI's value within their specific business challenges. However, research shows that SMBs that adopt AI can experience significant profitability uplifts, with profitability increases of roughly 45% for those moving from basic to intermediate AI adoption and 111% for those reaching full integration.
The perception that AI is more relevant to large enterprises than SMBs is known as the AI applicability illusion, and it could be the defining competitive variable for SMBs in the coming decade. By identifying where AI can unlock the most value, such as simplifying processes, automating repetitive tasks, and improving data entry, SMBs can strategically apply AI to achieve tangible results.
Trusted partners and Managed Service Providers (MSPs) can help SMBs navigate the complexities of AI adoption, implementing the technology responsibly and identifying those pockets of value that can drive ROI.
Written by urgent.news from TechRadar's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
