10 Ways Small Businesses Can Use AI To Grow–And Even Hire More Workers

Small businesses using AI are adding workers as sales grow, a survey shows. Here’s how to get started.

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A quartet of witnesses testifying this week to the House Small Business Committee disputed the commonly-held belief that artificial intelligence will displace human workers and insisted that small businesses which use AI are likely to wind up having to hire more employees–because they’ll grow.

Already, a majority of small businesses are using AI for a wide range of purposes, said Jordan Crenshaw, senior vice president at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Technology Engagement Center. Last year, 58% of small firms nationwide reported using generative artificial intelligence, an increase from 40% in 2024 and 23% in 2023, he told lawmakers. But the real kicker, he added, is that 82% of small businesses that reported using AI had increased their staff headcounts over the past year. “These businesses are not using AI to replace people,” Crenshaw said. “They’re using it to help employees focus on high value work that requires judgment, creativity and relationships.”

So what’s the best way for a small business to deploy AI?

Focus on what you’re not doing now, that could increase sales. “So many small businesses don’t have a website,” observed Chike Aguh, the head of innovation and strategy at the Kapor Center, which promotes inclusion in tech. “So many small businesses are not advertising in any way, shape or form because they can’t hire a designer. AI can make those things happen.” It’s not just about a web site, but about a mind set. “Small businesses need to think about, ‘What is not happening in my business that AI can help make happen,’ versus, ‘What is the thing that’s happening now that potentially could be done by someone else?’” Aguh told lawmakers.
Start with something that needs to be fixed. “I always advise businesses to start with the problem that is most at hand. What is the thing that bothers them day to…

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