Opinion: AI tools help small businesses thrive

A new survey finds 82% of small business employers have invested in AI tools, with 93% planning further investment, as Utah entrepreneurs leverage AI to overcome time constraints and compete globally. The state's Pro-Human AI initiative and expanding workforce credentials aim to support this trend, while experts warn that U.S. policy must keep pace with China's national AI strategy to protect small businesses.

Last month, Small Business Month gave us a chance to celebrate the people who make Utah’s economy work. They are the shop owners opening early, the contractors answering calls after hours, the accountants managing tax season, the wellness entrepreneurs building client relationships and the family businesses trying to grow without losing what made them local in the first place. It is also a good time to recognize that artificial intelligence AI is becoming one of the most useful tools for these businesses. For many of Utah’s small business owners, the challenge is not a lack of ideas. It is a lack of time in the day. A small business owner may be the CEO, scheduler, marketer, bookkeeper, customer service desk and hiring manager all in the same day. AI helps relieve some of that pressure. Small businesses need clear rules, reliable access to modern tools, a trained workforce and a national strategy that keeps American innovation moving. The Small Business and Entrepreneurship Council’s 2026 Small Business Tech Use Survey https://sbecouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/SBE-Technology-Use-Survey-March-2026-Final-2.pdf found that 82% of small business employers have invested in AI tools, with the typical company using a median of five. Those tools are being used for customer engagement, marketing, content creation, business research, financial management and administrative automation. The same survey found that 93% of small businesses plan to keep investing in AI. That should matter to Utah. Our state’s economy is built on entrepreneurship, growth and problem-solving. Fortunately, Utah has already taken steps to recognize that AI will be part of that future. The state launched a Pro-Human AI initiative https://business.utah.gov/news/utah-announces-pro-human-ai-task-force-members/ focused on balancing economic growth and public protection, and Utah higher education leaders are expanding https://ushe.edu/board-of-higher-education-launches-ai-task-force-begins-statewide-effort-to-expand-ai-workforce-credential/ AI workforce credentials to prepare students for an AI-accelerated economy. Provo-Orem was recognized https://www.utahbusiness.com/press-releases/2026/03/19/provo-orem-ranks-top-10-mid-sized-ai-job-markets-coworkingcafe-utah/ as a strong mid-sized AI job market, reflecting the state’s growing technology ecosystem. There is also a larger national picture at play here. The United States is in a global competition over who will build, shape and lead the next generation of AI. China has treated AI as a national priority https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/china-vows-accelerate-technological-self-reliance-ai-push-2026-03-05/ for years. If America falls behind, the consequences will not be limited to Silicon Valley or Washington. They will reach Main Streets across Utah. Small businesses rely on digital tools every day. If the best AI systems are built under authoritarian rivals, American businesses could face greater risks to customer data, intellectual property and long-term competitiveness. Before rushing into broad policies, lawmakers analyze the unintended consequences of these policies. For example, how will they impact the local employers across the Beehive State. Heavy-handed policies may sound cautious, but they are misguided and create real costs for small businesses that do not have lawyers, compliance departments or technical teams. Small businesses need clear rules, reliable access to modern tools, a trained workforce and a national strategy that keeps American innovation moving. During Small Business Month, we celebrated the entrepreneurs already using AI to build stronger businesses and communities. We should also make sure federal and state leaders understand what is at stake. Utah small businesses are not waiting for the future. They are already using AI to shape it. Now, policymakers should help make sure that future is built in America.