Divided Over Disruption
While artificial intelligence is revolutionizing industries, small-business owners remain deeply divided on its role in their operations. A recent survey by The Business Journals reveals a striking split—some entrepreneurs view AI as a game-changing tool for efficiency and marketing, while others see it as complex, risky, or irrelevant to their current scale. This divergence highlights a growing technological gap between early adopters and those wary of additional overhead or perceived threats to customer trust.
The Digital Confidence Gap
Many small businesses report a lack of knowledge, confidence, or resources as key barriers to AI adoption. Without in-house tech expertise or funding to outsource implementation, owners often stick to traditional methods even when AI could streamline their processes. Meanwhile, others are already integrating tools like automated customer service chatbots, personalized email marketing, or supply chain forecasting—reaping measurable benefits. The disparity suggests a need for accessible education and scalable AI solutions tailored to smaller enterprises.
