Recently, reports have indicated a surge in the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) technology among small businesses. For instance, organizations like Verizon, Salesforce, and the Associated Press have all stated that many small businesses are utilizing AI to drive revenue growth and enhance competitiveness. However, as a small business owner, I must say that these claims are overly optimistic, and the reality is not so straightforward. Image source note: Image generated by AI, image licensed through service provider Midjourney. In fact, many small businesses are still hesitant to use AI.

According to the latest report released by Goldman Sachs, as of the fourth quarter of 2024, only 6.1% of U.S. companies have integrated Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology into their operations, slightly up from 5.9% in the previous quarter. This data reflects that despite the huge potential of AI technology, its actual application in U.S. companies is still progressing slowly. Image source note: The image is generated by AI, with image licensing provided by Midjourney.