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    Most small businesses use AI tools such as ChatGPT daily, new survey reveals

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    By Rory McGinn

    Copyright independent

    Most small businesses use AI tools such as ChatGPT daily, new survey reveals

    A survey of Irish firms found 62pc are now using AI chatbots such as ChatGPT and Gemini for multiple tasks on a daily basis, while 14pc do not use them at all and a further 13pc say they are not relevant to their business.

    LeanBPI is an Irish digital growth consultancy for small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs).

    The research was conducted by -Censuswide, with a sample of 100 business owners with 20 or fewer employees in Ireland.

    It found that 70pc of small business owners said generative AI lightens the workload for them and their employees, with 75pc of SME owners believing it can help level the playing field against larger businesses.

    However, systematic deployment of AI overall is less widespread, with fewer than half (41pc) of surveyed firms using AI to automate tasks and 47pc seeing it as better suited to larger businesses.

    Trust was cited by 44pc as a significant barrier to take-up, while 30pc reported being priced out of deploying AI tools, the survey found.

    For smaller enterprises, utilising new digital tools is something that should not be taken lightly, according to John O’Shanahan, managing director of LeanBPI.

    Generative AI is now an essential tool for small enterprises

    “With extensive experience working with small businesses, particularly in partnership with the country’s local enterprise offices, we have seen first-hand that digital is too important to just have one stab at it,” he said.

    “As our research at LeanBPI shows, generative AI is now an essential tool for small enterprises. It enables tangible benefits that don’t just level the playing field but even provide the competitive edge to thrive against larger organisations.”

    LeanBPI has created a new Digital Recovery Plan, which aims to help small enterprises who have previously struggled with digital adoption.

    The new service will see LeanBPI carry out diagnostics of digital systems that a business already has in place.

    Smaller businesses need the right approach to get the most out of AI, Mr O’Shanahan added.

    “Our mistakes often provide us with the valuable insights needed to learn what works and what doesn’t,” he said.

    “Small businesses simply need the right guidance and support to get back on track and that’s exactly where LeanBPI will help.”

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