Poll shows many small businesses are embracing AI tools to grow productivity WPXI [Video]

WASHINGTON — Artificial intelligence is everywhere and it’s not just big companies relying on the technology.

Research shows many small businesses are using AI tools to grow amid financial pressures from inflation.

“We like to work smarter than harder over here,” said Lakesha Cole, founder of she PR.

Lakesha Cole is the woman behind she PR, a boutique public relations agency in Tampa, Florida. She manages as small team of 6-10 freelancers and now the newest member of her team is artificial intelligence.

“You don’t want to get left behind, right? And so, my job as a business owner is to make sure that I am giving my team members the tools that they need to be able to do their job as efficiently as possible,” she said.

A recent survey from the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Council (SBEC) shows 75% of surveyed companies (507 out of 676) use artificial intelligence tools as part of their operations. The most common are AI tools for financial management, cybersecurity, …