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Small business owners are finding they can save time with AI as the technology becomes part of everyday business operations. Between serving customers, managing employees, marketing, finances, and day-to-day tasks, finding ways to accomplish more in fewer hours can have a meaningful impact.
The latest Small Business Expo Research Team survey suggests artificial intelligence is increasingly doing exactly that.
In a survey of 145 small business owners, 89.7% said AI saves them at least some time each week. Nearly three in ten report saving six hours or more, suggesting that for many owners, AI is becoming a practical productivity tool.
The findings align with broader research showing growing AI adoption among small businesses. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce reported in 2025 that 58% of small businesses were using generative AI, up from 40% in 2024 and 23% in 2023.¹
Highlights
- 89.7% say AI saves them at least some time each week.
- 45.5% report saving 1–5 hours per week.
- 29.7% save six hours or more per week.
- 15.2% report saving 11 hours or more each week.
- Just 10.3% say AI saves them no time.
- 55.9% use ChatGPT most often for business-related research or questions.
AI for Small Business Is Becoming a Time-Saver
The clearest takeaway from the survey is how widespread the reported productivity benefit has become.
When asked approximately how much time AI saves them each week, 45.5% of respondents selected 1–5 hours—the largest group in the survey.
But for a meaningful share of owners, the savings go considerably further.
Overall, 29.7% report saving at least six hours per week, including 14.5% who save 6–10 hours and 15.2% who report saving 11 hours or more.
Only 10.3% say AI does not save them any time.
For an owner balancing multiple responsibilities, even several hours reclaimed each week could create additional capacity for customers, sales, planning, or other work that requires more direct attention.
Other research has identified a similar productivity effect. A 2026 U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation study found that among small business workers using AI, 64% primarily use it for personal productivity activities such as drafting, summarizing, and brainstorming.²
For Some Owners, the Time Savings Are Substantial
While the 1–5 hour range accounts for the largest share of respondents, the upper end of the results is particularly noteworthy.
More than 15% of owners report saving at least 11 hours per week through AI.
That represents more than an hour of potential time savings during each day of a five-day workweek. While the survey does not ask how owners reinvest that time, the finding illustrates just how much some small business owners may be able to save time with AI.
Recent outside research also suggests that saved time can translate into additional business capacity. According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, 59% of small business workers who experienced AI-related time or quality gains said they used those gains to accomplish more work or produce higher-quality output.²
ChatGPT Leads for Business Research
The survey also asked owners which AI platform they use most often when they have a business-related question or need to research something.
ChatGPT was the clear leader at 55.9%.
Google Gemini ranked second at 17.9%, followed by Claude at 10.3% and Google Search or AI Overviews at 8.3%.
Combined, 84.1% of respondents primarily turn to ChatGPT, Gemini, or Claude for these business-related tasks.
Perhaps just as notable is how few respondents say they avoid AI altogether. Only 1.4% selected “I don’t use AI,” suggesting that among this particular group of surveyed small business owners, AI-assisted research has become commonplace.
AI Is Becoming Part of the Small Business Toolkit
The Research Team findings come as AI adoption continues to expand across the broader business landscape.
A Federal Reserve analysis published in April 2026 found that estimates of business AI adoption vary considerably depending on how surveys define and measure AI use. The Fed nevertheless found substantial growth across multiple measures and noted that work-related generative AI adoption among individuals reached about 41% by November 2025.³
That distinction is important. The present survey does not measure AI adoption across all U.S. small businesses. Instead, it provides a snapshot of how surveyed owners who are engaging with these tools perceive their practical value.
Final Takeaway
The promise of AI can sometimes be framed around sweeping changes to how businesses operate. But for many small business owners, its immediate value appears much simpler.
Nearly nine in ten respondents say AI is already saving them time each week, and almost three in ten report saving six hours or more.
The results suggest that small business owners are increasingly finding ways to save time with AI in their day-to-day work. The more relevant question may now be how effectively they can turn those saved hours into greater productivity, stronger customer relationships, and new opportunities for growth.
Footnotes
- U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Small Business Use of AI Surges, Driving Daily Efficiency. https://www.uschamber.com/technology/empowering-small-business-the-impact-of-technology-on-u-s-small-business
- U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation. Half of Small Business Workers Use AI — Most to Boost Productivity, Not Automate Jobs. https://www.uschamberfoundation.org/workforce/half-of-small-business-workers-use-ai-most-to-boost-productivity-not-automate-jobs
- Federal Reserve Board. Monitoring AI Adoption in the US Economy. https://www.federalreserve.gov/econres/notes/feds-notes/monitoring-ai-adoption-in-the-u-s-economy-20260403.html
Related: The Trust Gap: Small Businesses Are Using AI More, But Still Don’t Fully Trust It