57% of SMBs pay for AI tools. Here’s what they use.

Paying for AI tools is becoming standard practice for SMBs. The likelihood of paying rises sharply with company size, according to Bredin’s latest survey of 500 U.S. SMBs.

‍Who is paying for AI tools:

• 56% of very small businesses (VSBs, with 1–19 employees)
• 88% of small businesses (SBs, with 20–99 employees)
• 90% of midsized businesses (MBs, with 100–1,000 employees)

How SMBs currently use generative AI:

‍VSBs are most likely to use gen AI for text generation, followed by as an assistant. SBs and MBs use AI as an assistant first, followed by text generation.

Generative AI Use by SMB Size

How SMBs currently use agentic AI:

‍VSBs use agentic AI most for sending emails or messages, with invoicing next. SBs also prioritize email automation, followed by calendar and reminder management. MBs focus first on AI-driven invoicing or quoting, with email automation second.

Agentic AI Use by SMB Size

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