Tapping into the growing industry of artificial intelligence isn’t just a want for businesses today—it’s also essential to helping businesses grow and reach higher levels of success. However, not every business has access to the same resources, leading entrepreneurs with small budgets and teams to assume that AI is beyond their reach.
From exploring free AI tools to making careful investments into emerging tech and platforms, small businesses working with limited budgets can still adopt AI tech and tools without breaking the bank. Below, 20 Forbes Business Council members offer advice on how small businesses can leverage AI to help them compete with larger companies, as well as specific tools and processes they can take advantage of for optimal results.
1. Think Of AI As A Strategic Partner
The real edge isn’t automation – it’s using AI to break established thought patterns. Efficiency matters, but magic happens when AI is a strategic partner. When used to analyze data, it can identify untapped possibilities. Explorative AI conversations uncover insights and creative solutions. This data-driven experimentation reveals opportunities that rigid corporate AI implementations simply can’t detect. – Tiki (Rolin) Frederiksen, Copenhagen Kid LLC
2. Strengthen Decision Making
Small businesses can leverage AI by enhancing decision making through predictive analytics. Tools like AI-powered platforms can analyze customer data, market trends and competitor activity, helping small businesses identify opportunities faster. This allows them to tailor offerings, pricing and marketing strategies in real-time, making them more agile and competitive against larger companies. – Nono Bokete, Data Sentinels
3. Overcome Resource And Access Constraints
Small businesses often face significant challenges when competing with larger companies, and this is primarily due to resource constraints and limited access to advanced technologies. However, these businesses can leverage AI through the implementation of customer relationship management systems that utilize AI capabilities. This can enhance customer engagement, improve service delivery and ultimately drive sales. – Veena Jetti, Vive Funds
4. Make Calculated AI Tech Investments
When used to its full potential, AI technology can be transformative for smaller businesses by leveling the playing field, as they can do more with less. However, in order to outperform larger firms, it’s crucial to invest in AI technologies strategically and ensure there is a robust implementation process. Quickly onboarded but poorly implemented technology doesn’t provide a competitive advantage. – Julien Villemonteix, UpSlide
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5. Embrace Open And Modular Architecture
Small businesses can leverage emerging technology like AI and cloud solutions by embracing open and modular architectures. Avoid customizations at all costs and move fast. For example, tech like AI-driven analytics platforms, data products, agentic tech and cloud-based systems allow for seamless integration with existing workflows. – Alejandro Martinez, Propelling Tech
6. Get Familiar With Current Technologies
ChatGPT was introduced to the public in 2022, so there’s no excuse today for small businesses not to leverage AI to streamline key operations. At a minimum, AI should be used to generate social media content, proofread copy, review documents for compliance, analyze financial statements, identify trends and automate customer engagement through chatbots. It doesn’t matter what size business you are. – Larry Bomback, Strategic Nonprofit Finance
7. Develop A Targeted AI Strategy
Small businesses win with a targeted AI strategy. Don’t use AI for volume; instead, use it to amplify differentiators. If your business is known for service, let AI complement your strengths. With domain expertise, use AI to repurpose content rather than create it. You will win by enhancing what already works against big competitors while preserving your identity. Your advantage isn’t scale but amplifying specialization. – Henry McIntosh, Twenty One Twelve Marketing
8. Increase Business Capabilities
Small businesses can compete by using AI for marketing, sales and support. For example, tools like Zoho CRM’s AI assistant Zia offer sales insights and automation, ChatGPT handles customer service and FAQs, Copy.ai and Jasper generate content fast, and Pictory turns blogs into videos. With the right stack, small teams can scale impact, reduce costs and deliver polished, big-brand experiences. – David Centeno, David Centeno Law, PC – NY Divorce Lawyer
9. Streamline Processes
For small businesses, competing means efficiency. Tools like Google Gemini, which is now free for everyone, offer a way. Virtual meetings now get automatic summaries and action items, freeing up time. AI can also help draft and refine communications, boosting productivity. It’s about leveraging AI to streamline processes so they can focus on core business goals and compete more effectively. – Dana Berg, SADA, An Insight company
10. Upgrade Current Content And Systems
Over the past 18 years, our firm has built a vast content library. We use AI to streamline research, take notes and, most importantly, synthesize large amounts of information. For example, I’ve led numerous workshops that are easily customized by industry and audience. It’s our own content — AI just helps us repackage it in fresh, relevant ways, saving valuable time while maintaining quality. – Linda Varrell, Broadreach Public Relations
11. Streamline Workflows And Maximize Efficiency
Small businesses can use AI to streamline workflows and maximize efficiency with a small team. Automating repetitive tasks like scheduling, customer inquiries and data entry frees up time for more strategic work. AI-driven insights can also help optimize marketing, sales and inventory management, allowing small teams to operate with the speed and precision of larger companies without extra overhead. – Andrew Lopez, 1000 Media
12. Automate And Personalize Customer Interactions
Use AI to automate and personalize customer interactions. Small businesses can streamline customer service, enhance marketing and analyze data faster, giving them a competitive edge. AI-powered tools help with automated messaging, smarter advertising and workflow efficiency. The key is using technology to work smarter, not harder, so you can focus on what truly sets your business apart. – Aleesha Webb, Pioneer Bank
13. Take Over Repetitive Tasks
Small businesses can leverage AI to take over mundane, repetitive tasks. AI will help elevate teams to be thinkers instead of doers. AI is also a force multiplier for most teams, finding AI and other tech that can help first rather than finding new people to do tasks. It’s cheaper and easier than hiring new people in most cases. People need to leverage AI for advancement and increased efficiency. – Joe Crandall, Greencastle Associates Consulting
14. Boost Speed And Agility
I personally believe that tools like ChatGPT, Jasper or Claude can help a two-person team build brand voice guides, write high-converting copy, segment audiences and even A/B test messaging — and do so before a big company has finished looping in the legal team. AI lets small businesses do what giants do but without the red tape. Speed becomes the strategy and agility becomes the unfair advantage. – Sahil Gandhi, Blushush
15. Stand Out Online
AI is here to stay, and the tools are endless, from SEO tools and tools that make posts on social media to ones that can update your website. Content is important, especially video content, as you have to put yourself and your business out there. Make sure to claim your Google Business Profile because it’s free and will make your business more visible. Also, get a paid account for an AI tool so that the AI learns about your business. – Allen Kopelman, Nationwide Payment Systems Inc.
16. Create Content Infused With The Brand’s Voice
Small businesses can level the playing field by using custom GPT bots that reflect their unique brand voice and personality. These AI tools can handle content, marketing and customer interactions with authenticity to create consistent, on-brand experiences at scale. It’s like having a full creative team in your back pocket. – Stephanie Sidebottom, Wax Creek, Inc.
17. Increase Website Accessibility
A good chunk of your potential customers might have vision or motor impairments. If they can’t use your site, they’ll go somewhere else. AI tools like Pa11y or Equally AI can automatically adjust font sizes, contrast and keyboard navigation, making sure users don’t bounce the second they land on your page. That’s not just inclusivity, it’s also smart business. – Ran Ronen, Equally AI
18. Automate Your Online Presence Management
Small businesses can leverage AI to compete with larger companies by automating their online presence management. After testing 11 AI tools, my top pick is Merchynt’s Paige, an AI-powered Google My Business management software. Paige automates posts, reviews responses and optimizes SEO, helping small businesses boost visibility and attract local customers effortlessly. – Oleg Levitas, Pravda SEO Inc, Real Results SEO Inc.
19. Enhance Personalization
Smaller businesses can level the playing field against bigger opponents by leveraging personalization through AI. For instance, a neighborhood bookstore utilized AI tools like ChatGPT and Canva to study customer buy history and automate customized email promotions with handpicked books. This delivered a 30% increase in repeat sales. – Adnan Ghaffar, CodeAutomation.AI LLC
20. Improve Professional Development Programs
Make AI integration part of your professional development program. Employees can view AI with trepidation and hesitancy, so empower employees to experiment with AI by encouraging them to think of AI as their own assistants. When employees are open to experimentation, the entire organization can innovate and investigate the best tools to stay on the forefront of burgeoning technologies. – Nora Herting, ImageThink
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