Brandon Lind
Coverage of Brandon Lind in the Nexus archive.
- Small biz's big bet on AI comes with a catch
Small businesses are increasingly adopting AI to improve efficiency and survival, but face higher costs and risks of losing their unique personal value. A median of $21 per employee is spent on AI tools, double the cost for larger businesses. While AI helps streamline operations, concerns about rising prices and over-reliance on technology are growing.
- Small businesses hired AI to save money. Now they're budgeting for its bad habits.
Small businesses are increasingly adopting AI for cost-saving and efficiency, with 58% using it in 2025 compared to 23% in 2023. While AI helped companies like Sparkles Homes and Flint Avenue Marketing reduce costs and automate tasks, it also caused unexpected expenses and awkward errors, such as AI-generated emails and over-apologetic phone responses. Small businesses are now budgeting more for AI, with median costs rising to $21 per employee in 2025.