Small business AI adoption declines to just 28%

Matt Crawford for NEXT

Small business AI adoption declines to just 28%

Is artificial intelligence (AI) living up to the hype for small business owners? NEXT ’s recent survey of AI tool adoption for small businesses shows that many are dialing back.

Independent operators rely on AI tools to be more efficient, and they’re optimistic about its impact. But many more seem to have stopped incorporating AI into their business operations since they were last surveyed in 2024. And cost and complexity seem to be the barriers keeping them out.

How many small businesses use AI?

NEXT surveyed 1,500 small business owners in April 2025 to ask about their AI usage and plans for implementation.

While 42% of small businesses reported using AI in 2024, our 2025 survey reveals a significant drop to ju