AI adoption among U.S. small businesses rises to 66%, but 7 in 10 owners want more training
AI is already delivering concrete returns for small businesses —revenue, time, costs— but the barrier isn’t buying it: it’s learning to use it well.
A survey by the Thryv platform of 561 owners and decision-makers at small and midsize businesses (none of them affiliated with Thryv) shows that AI adoption rose to 66%, 11 points higher than a year ago, and that owners report a real impact on revenue and time —though almost all of them feel they lack training.
- AI adoption among small businesses at 66% (+11 points year over year); 86% say they are comfortable using it.
- 70% report that AI increased their revenue over the last year; 92% say it saves them time and 55% that it cut costs.
- 70% of owners admit they need more training to use it effectively.
- 46% would rather use AI than hire a new employee.
Why it matters to you
For a small-business owner, AI is already delivering results, but what separates real savings from wasted spend isn’t the tool, it’s knowing how to use it. Investing in training your team pays off more than adding another subscription.