SMB Use of Agentic AI

SMB use of AI is growing fast. To find out where SMBs stand with the latest frontier of AI, agentic AI, we recently surveyed 500 U.S. SMB principals.

The first question we asked was basic awareness of agentic AI. There’s a sharp difference in awareness between very small businesses (VSBs, with 1-19 employees) and those with 20 to 500 employees. Only 9% of VSBs are extremely or very familiar with agentic AI, versus 37% of small businesses (SBs, with 20-99 employees) and 39% of midsized businesses (MBs, with 100-500 employees). Exactly half of VSBs have never heard of it, versus 24% of SBs and 14% of MBs.

SMB Awareness of Agentic AI

A similar divide exists in agentic AI implementation. Of those that have heard of agentic AI, 13% of VSBs are using or piloting it, versus 38% of SBs and 35% of MBs. Interest is strong in every segment, though, with just under half evaluating or interested in using agentic AI.  

SMB Use of Agentic AI

Among SMBs who are using or piloting agentic AI, the results are very positive. Agentic AI has already made a very or extremely significant contribution to roughly two in three VSBs and SBs, and nine in 10 MBs.

Agentic AI Contribution

The implication for B2SMB marketers? Agentic AI holds tremendous potential for SMBs. VSBs need basic education on AI and agentic AI, while SBs and MBs need agentic AI case studies and applications tailored to their industries.

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