10 Ways AI Can Help Your Business Grow
AI is changing the way businesses get things done — and not just for the ‘big tech’ firms. In fact, small-to-medium sized business owners might be the ones set to gain the most from this revolution. With tools more accessible and affordable than ever (many even free), solo entrepreneurs can tap into AI power for a real competitive edge. In this article, we’ll explore how businesses can use AI in practical ways. We’ll also bust some myths and show that the tech isn’t as tricky or expensive as it might seem. What is AI, anyway? In a nutshell, AI is software that uses algorithms to do things in a way that mimics human intelligence. AI isn’t the future — it’s already here, changing the way we live and work. From smart home gadgets that preheat your oven to apps that help diagnose health issues, AI is a revolution happening right now. The rise of “generative AI” (like ChatGPT) in the last couple of years has pushed everything forward. What once felt like science fiction is now part of everyday life, helping businesses and everyday people alike to get much more done. The UK is actually one of the big hotspots. With twice as many AI tech firms here as any other nation in Europe, the British AI industry is on course to exceed £4.5 billion in value. London is home to several of world’s biggest names, including Google’s own lab, DeepMind. As AI continues to grow, 83% of business owners plan to invest in it more, according to the SBEC Small Business AI Adoption Survey — showing just how essential it’s becoming for staying competitive. What’s the difference: AI, machine learning, and automation ☐ Artificial Intelligence is about machines performing tasks like humans do, like understanding language or coming up with ideas. The aim is to make systems that can think and learn like us. ☐ Machine Learning is a sort of AI that lets machines learn from data. Instead of being programmed for everything, they spot patterns, make predictions, and get better over time. ☐ Automation is often confused with AI, but it’s a bit different. Instead, it’s tech that’s designed to perform repetitive tasks automatically (like setting up automated email replies). It might work together with AI, but it’s following rules rather than learning. A lot of companies are sneakily using “AI” these days when “Automated” would be more accurate. (With all the buzz around AI, who can blame them?) Why use AI for your business? Running your own business means wearing a lot of hats. Customer service, marketing, accounting, making the tea — there’s always something that needs doing. As your to-do list grows, AI helps you work smarter. “As your to-do list grows, AI helps you work smarter.” Sure, you might already know that ChatGPT can answer questions faster than Google, come up with product name ideas, or write a haiku about your cat. But you might be surprised by just how much more it can do for business: ✓ Improved productivity AI handles the mundane tasks — sorting emails, booking appointments, managing stock. That frees up time to focus on business. And it can do so even when you’re not around. 44% of business leaders have reported increased productivity through AI. ✓ Faster, easier content creation Content creation is one of the most time-consuming tasks for small business owners. AI speeds things up, helping produce product descriptions, campaign emails, blogs, and social posts in moments. That means less time staring at a blank page and more time connecting with customers. ✓ Better customer Service From providing 24/7 support with chatbots to offering personalised shopping suggestions, AI can make your customers feel special. The more tailored the experience, the more likely they are to stick around and recommend you to others. AI also helps you understand what customers love (and what they don’t), so you can keep improving. ✓ Smarter decision-making AI can gather and analyse data like shopping habits or product trends in real time, giving business owners the insights they need to make smarter choices. ✓ Reducing costs (in all sorts of different ways) 93% of small business owners agree AI can be a cost-effective way to increase profits. Be that assisting in creative work or simply automating task to free up resources, AI can help reduce overheads. 10 ways to use AI for your small business 1. Automating the daily grind These AI tools help small businesses cut down on admin and focus on what matters. From managing your calendar to transcribing meetings, there’s an AI for almost everything. Our Pick: Microsoft 365 Microsoft 365 comes packed with AI features to help with everyday tasks. Suggesting email replies, automating work in Word and Excel, and even taking notes (and summarising) Teams meetings — it’s all built into the apps you already use, making M365 a smart choice for businesses looking to achieve great things. Copilot, Microsoft’s AI tool for Windows, is now more fully-connected with M365. Serving to replace the Cortana assistant (poor old Cortana!), Copilot works alongside Microsoft 365 to make tasks easier, a bit like your virtual PA. More Top Picks: • ClickUp AI – An in-browser productivity app that writes task descriptions, drafts emails, and helps keep projects on track. • Fireflies.ai – An in-browser tool (with browser extension) that records, transcribes, and summarises meetings. • Motion – A smart calendar available as both an app and in-browser tool that schedules tasks and builds itineraries. • Notion AI – A note-taking tool that summarises thoughts and drafts documents, for browser and mobile. • Otter.ai – Another transcription app that captures conversations and creates instant summaries. • Reclaim.ai – A browser-based scheduling app that helps plans meetings and auto-blocks your focus time. 2. Brainstorming (anything!) Coming up with ideas on your own can be tough, especially for the solo business owner or if you’re working remotely. While you could ask the postman