By Contributor,Gene Marks,Silas Stein

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he Google Chrome application app can be seen on the display of a smartphone. Photo: Silas Stein/dpa (Photo by Silas Stein/picture alliance via Getty Images)
dpa/picture alliance via Getty Images

Here are five things in small business technology news that happened this week and how they affect your small business. Did you miss them?

This Week in Small Business Technology News

Small Business Technology News #1 – Google Chrome gets 10 new AI features with Gemini integration, check list.

Google Chrome has rolled out one of its biggest updates ever with the integration of Gemini AI, introducing 10 powerful new features that transform the browser into a smart assistant which include a Gemini Assistant button, multi-tab summaries, AI-powered omnibox search, the ability to recall past pages and more. The company believe that this upgrade positions Chrome not just as a browser, but as a personalized AI-powered tool for productivity, research, and safer browsing. (Source: Jagran Josh)

Why this is important for your small business:

Slowly but surely, AI features that will increase both yours and your team’s productivity keep rolling out. Like so many other “features” that software companies release, many of these may fly under the radar, yet taking the time to learn (or be trained on them) can have a big impact on the way your company works.

Small Business Technology News #2 – From assistant to Facilitator, Copilot users get new AI agent for Teams.

Microsoft has introduced a new AI agent called Facilitator for Teams, SharePoint, and Viva Engage, marking a shift from personal assistants to collaborative AI teammates. A few of the highlights include context-aware collaboration, active meeting participation and project management integration. (Source: UC Today)

Why this is important for your small business:

Same as above. Many of my clients use Teams, yet few truly take advantage of all its capabilities. These new features offer significant ways to increase productivity.

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Small Business Technology News #3 – Shoppers warm to AI according to a new report from Shopify.

A recent survey Shopify and ecommerce platform Constructor reveals that AI is gaining traction among U.S. shoppers, but trust remains a hurdle. According to the results, 45 percent of U.S. consumers are comfortable using AI for shopping tasks like product recommendations, price comparisons, and virtual try-ons. Younger shoppers (Gen Z and Millennials) show the highest adoption and trust in AI tools. While 60 percent say they’d be willing to use an AI assistant to guide them, 55 percent of respondents have concerns about data privacy, misinformation, and lack of transparency in AI-driven shopping experiences. The study highlights a growing openness to AI in retail, especially among younger demographics, while emphasizing the need for responsible implementation to build consumer trust. (Source: Yahoo Finance)

Why this is important for your small business:

The best use for AI assistants in both shopping and customer support is to give users the option of whether or not they want to use AI…or just be connected to a human. At least for now, people still have lots of security and usability concerns about these AI tools. I’m expecting to see those concerns diminish over time as these tools become not only more accurate but more ingrained in a user’s e-commerce experience.

Small Business Technology News #4 – WhatsApp adds QR code payments to its business app.

WhatsApp has added QR code payments to its Business app in India, making it easier for users to complete transactions directly within chats. With this integration, businesses can now generate QR codes linked to specific products or services. The rollout strengthens WhatsApp’s position as a one-stop platform for communication and transactions, particularly in India’s fast-growing digital economy. (Source: Finextra)

Why this is important for your small business:

While WhatsApp is more popular overseas, the application still counts millions of users based in the U.S. Allowing payments to be made using a QR code would be a great option for many U.S. based small businesses and my expectation is that this feature, once tested elsewhere, will find its way here.

Small Business Technology News #5 – Employers are betting their next great job candidate is on TikTok.

HR teams are increasingly turning to TikTok as a recruitment marketing tool to attract younger talent, especially Gen Z. Companies are using TikTok to showcase real employee experiences, workplace culture, and day-in-the-life content to build trust and relatability. With Gen Z spending significant time on TikTok, HR leaders see it as a prime platform to meet candidates where they are. According to a recent survey from job platform Handshake – 73 percent of college graduates said they be “more likely to apply for a job after seeing content such as videos or messages from an employer.” Brands like Duolingo and Ryanair have gained traction by blending humor with job-related content, making their companies more appealing. HR professionals must balance creativity with compliance, ensuring content aligns with company values and legal standards. (Source: HR Brew)

Why this is important for your small business:

Now that TikTok appears to have a continued future here in the U.S., it’s worth the time for smaller employers to seriously consider using this platform as a recruiting tool, given that the platform’s demographic skews younger.

Each week I round up five small business technology news stories and explain why they’re important for your business. If you have any interesting stories, please post to my X account @genemarks

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