Artificial intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies are transforming nearly every aspect of business and daily life. For small business owners, AI is no longer just a buzzword—it is becoming a critical component of strategic planning.
AI-powered tools are helping businesses innovate, streamline operations, and drive growth, making them essential in today’s competitive, data-driven environment. According to JPMorgan Chase’s 2025 Business Leaders Outlook Survey, 80% of small business leaders are already using or planning to implement AI. Despite this adoption, 46% remain cautiously optimistic about its impact, highlighting the need for careful integration. In 2025, 48% of small business owners plan to focus on customer-facing applications such as chatbots and automated customer service to enhance efficiency and improve customer engagement.
The Power of AI for Small Businesses
AI technologies offer learning, reasoning, and problem-solving capabilities that can improve multiple business processes. Survey respondents identified key AI applications including:
- Marketing and content creation
- Customer service automation
- Data analysis and business intelligence
- Payment processing and operational automation
Large Language Models (LLMs), a subset of AI, are particularly valuable for generating human-like text and streamlining customer interactions. These technologies help small businesses produce content, respond to inquiries, and automate routine tasks efficiently.
Benefits of Emerging Technologies
With limited resources, small businesses can use AI to automate repetitive processes, freeing employees to focus on higher-value activities. AI-driven chatbots, for example, can handle initial customer requests, reduce workload for support teams, and improve response times, enhancing overall customer satisfaction.
AI also allows startups to scale operations efficiently. For instance, an e-commerce business can leverage AI to manage inventory, process orders, and assist with customer inquiries, enabling the team to prioritize strategic growth and engagement.
Developing tailored tools for specific business needs, rather than relying solely on third-party solutions, provides greater flexibility, easier integration, and tighter control over sensitive data. Additionally, automation and data-driven solutions like Chase for Business’s Customer Insights can generate actionable intelligence, streamline operations, and improve profitability.
Planning for the Future
As technology continues to evolve rapidly, small business owners should create a blueprint for identifying where AI adds the most value. Investing in the right infrastructure, talent, and a clear roadmap for AI adoption ensures successful implementation. Understanding business transition options will further support sustainable growth and long-term success.
By embracing AI and emerging technologies, small businesses can enhance efficiency, improve customer experience, and unlock new growth opportunities, positioning themselves for a competitive advantage in an increasingly digital economy.