Misconceptions about artificial intelligence (AI) are preventing small- to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) from realizing AI's full revenue potential. Business owners are rushing to adopt AI, but they are treating it primarily as a time-saving tool.
AI adoption among SMBs continues to grow. This year, 66% of small businesses experienced revenue increases from AI, and 82% of SMBs are already using some AI tools.
The problem is that many owners underutilize AI or use it too sparingly, missing out on major revenue opportunities. Many SMBs remain caught between using AI to draft emails 10% faster and using it to completely re-engineer their sales pipelines.
Joe Gagnon, CEO of the autonomous, AI-native sales platform Raynmaker, argues that the biggest misconception about AI is treating it primarily as a time-saving tool rather than a driver of revenue growth. Efficiency gains are valuable, but there is only so much time a business can save.
"For most SMBs, growth happens in the customer conversation. It happens when a lead calls, asks a question, fills out a form, responds to an offer, or shows buying intent. That is where AI can have a profound impact," he told the E-Commerce Times.
