A survey by the platform Thryv of 561 owners and decision-makers at small and midsize businesses (all unaffiliated with Thryv) shows AI adoption rose to 66%, 11 points higher than a year ago, and that owners report a real impact on revenue and time —though nearly all feel they lack training.
- AI adoption among SMBs at 66% (+11 points year over year); 86% say they’re comfortable using it.
- 70% report AI increased their revenue over the past 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.