Why AI automation is the most powerful tool for small businesses
If you run a small business, or have ever wanted to, here’s a simple truth: you don’t have to be an AI expert to make automation work for you. It’s not about being techy. It’s about being smart with your time, money, and energy.
The state of AI in small business
According to Statistics Canada, 12.2% of businesses reported using AI to produce goods or deliver services in the 12 months to the second quarter of 2025, which has doubled from the previous year. Meanwhile, 14.5% of Canadian businesses plan to adopt AI in the next 12 months as of the third quarter of 2025. As for our neighbours down South, a recent Reimagine Main Street and PayPal survey found that 76% of U.S. small businesses are already using or actively exploring AI tools to enhance their operations and customer experience.
If you’ve ever thought, “AI sounds too complicated for me,” you’re definitely not alone. The good news is, you’re probably not as far behind as you think.
Adoption is still in the early stages, but the momentum is clear. AI automation is quickly moving from something only big companies do to something any small business can use to level up its operations.
Why automation matters
Saves time and money
A U.S. study found that small businesses using AI saved an average of 13 employee hours and 13 owner hours each week through automation. That’s more than 1,300 hours a year that can be redirected toward customers, strategy, or creative work.Levels the playing field
AI tools give smaller teams access to the kind of efficiency that used to belong only to big firms. Better response times, faster marketing, cleaner admin work. One recent survey found 77% of business owners believe AI helps them compete with larger companies.Helps you work smarter
Automation handles repetitive work so you can focus on decisions that actually need you. Think of it as hiring a digital assistant that doesn’t sleep.
Where automation fits for any small business
Here are a few practical examples that almost any business can use:
Customer support chatbots
Let automated replies handle basic questions like hours, pricing, or service areas so your phone or inbox stays open for more complex requests. This one is such an easy win!Marketing workflows
Automate email follow-ups, social posts, and lead responses. Use AI to draft copy, then review and personalize before sending.Invoicing, billing, and scheduling
Automate reminders and confirmations. It reduces human error and keeps payments on time.Data and analytics
Use AI tools to track sales trends, flag slow months, or highlight your best-performing services. You’ll make decisions faster and with more confidence.Creative help
AI can assist with writing, image generation, or social captions. It’s not a replacement for your voice, but it can cut down on prep time. Tools like Gemini or ChatGPT (especially custom GPTs) can enable solopreneurs and small teams to brainstorm and ideate more efficiently than ever.
Being pro-AI without being a tech-forward person
You don’t need to fully understand the technology to use it well. Think about driving a car. Most people don’t understand much about engines, yet most of North America drives. Here’s a useful mindset that can enable you to use AI efficiently:
Focus on the problems you want to fix, not the tools themselves.
Start small and test one automation at a time.
Keep human review in the loop. AI is great at drafts and data, but it still needs human sense and tone.
Track real outcomes like hours saved or fewer missed invoices.
Stay curious. You can be interested in AI without being a tech person.
Why now is the right time
AI isn’t about chasing trends. It’s about working smarter at the things you already care about.
You don’t need a five-year plan. You just need to start with one task that steals your time and find a smarter way to handle it. That’s what AI automation really is: a better use of your time.
The tasks you do every day without thinking, the ones you “just do because it’ll take too long to teach someone else,” are exactly the ones you should automate.
The business world is full of conversation about AI, but not enough action. The ones who start now, even with small steps, will learn faster and move further. Few business owners are actually walking the talk.
Start walking today, one step at a time. Before long, you’ll look back and see that you’ve carved out your own path, one that leads to opportunities in places you didn’t have time to look.
—
Frank Dávalos
Founder & Chief Fun Officer
Learn how Jig can help your business free up hundreds of hours so that you can focus on operations —> JigOS Intelligence Lab
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