Small Biz on Main Street Embrace AI for Daily Wins

A new study from Heartland Forward shows that many small business owners are starting to weave artificial intelligence into their everyday routines. The research looked at 691 owners across the country, with a focus on the heartland states. The findings suggest AI is becoming a regular tool for many of them.

Across the nation, about 43 percent of respondents said they already use AI. Of those, roughly seven out of ten describe the technology as a routine part of their workflow. Almost all—93 percent—claim it saves them time, and 70 percent see a net‑positive impact on their finances. The heartland region matches the national pace, according to the report.

For owners who have not adopted AI, the main hurdle is not price or technical difficulty. More than half say the technology does not seem relevant to their day‑to‑day tasks, and many have not yet seen a clear need to integrate it. Cost and complexity are rarely the top concerns.

John Bailey, an AI fellow at Heartland Forward, notes that AI now gives small firms capabilities that were once reserved for large corporations. He points out that the tools can expand what a tiny shop can achieve without a huge budget.

The Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis also weighed in with its own look at the Eighth District. Researchers examined roughly 490,000 earnings calls and found adoption is still in early stages. Most firms report only experimental or limited use, and non‑adopters still struggle with skill gaps, data issues, and infrastructure needs.