Bottom line
Two-thirds of small businesses now run on AI and most say it grew revenue. The gap is training, which is why done-for-you systems that answer, book, and follow up on their own beat another dashboard your team has to learn.
What happened
Thryv’s 2026 AI and Small Business Adoption Survey, reported July 14, 2026, polled 561 US small and mid-sized business decision-makers. AI adoption climbed to 66%, up from 55% a year earlier, 70% of owners say AI contributed to revenue growth, and 55% say it cut costs, with 61% estimating $500 to $2,000 in monthly savings. The same survey found 70% of owners admit they need more training to use the tools effectively, and 46% would choose AI over a new hire for equivalent tasks.
Reported by CPA Practice Advisor. Our analysis is below.
The EMOR AI take
Two numbers in this survey tell the whole story: 66% of small businesses now use AI, and 70% of them say they still need training to use it well. That gap is exactly why we build done-for-you systems instead of handing owners another dashboard. A receptionist that answers and books on its own, lead follow-up that fires automatically, and social posting that runs on a calendar deliver the revenue lift the majority is reporting without adding a single tool for the owner to learn.
The $500 to $2,000 a month in savings owners report is the honest benchmark for any AI system you consider: it should pay for itself out of recovered bookings and reclaimed hours, measurably, within the first months. And with 46% of your competitors now choosing AI over a new hire for routine work, the cost structure of your local market is shifting whether you participate or not. Pick systems judged on booked jobs, not features.
What this means for your business
- Choose done-for-you AI systems over tools that need training
- Benchmark AI spend against recovered bookings and hours
- Automate routine work before your competitors price you out
Frequently asked questions
How many small businesses use AI in 2026?
Thryv’s 2026 survey of 561 US small and mid-sized business decision-makers found 66% now use AI, up from 55% a year earlier. 70% say AI contributed to revenue growth and 55% say it cut costs, with typical savings estimated at $500 to $2,000 a month.
What should a small business expect AI to save?
Owners in the survey estimate $500 to $2,000 in monthly savings. That range is a fair benchmark: a well-chosen system should pay for itself out of recovered bookings and reclaimed hours within the first months, measured in booked jobs rather than features.
Is AI replacing hires at small businesses?
46% of surveyed owners say they would choose AI over a new hire for equivalent routine tasks. In practice the strongest results come from automating routine volume, answering, booking, follow-up, so the people you do hire spend their time on work that needs judgment.
Read the original report
SMB AI Use Continues to Rise, But They Need Help
CPA Practice Advisor
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