AUSTIN, Texas--()--ZenBusiness®, the all-in-one platform providing trusted guidance for small business owners, today released new research highlighting the growing role of artificial intelligence (AI) in entrepreneurship. The findings reveal that over 90% of small business owners expect AI to be unavoidable or frequently used in the future, while 86% of aspiring entrepreneurs share this expectation. As AI adoption accelerates, business owners see it as an essential tool for efficiency, automation, and decision-making—but they also want transparency in how AI is used.

"AI is no longer a distant concept—it’s becoming an everyday necessity for small business owners, and our research corroborates it," said Sameer Gulati, chief product officer at ZenBusiness. "The challenge now isn’t just making AI available—it’s ensuring entrepreneurs can use it in ways that truly support the very specific needs of their business. At ZenBusiness, we are focused on building AI tools that are intuitive, effective, and, most importantly, designed with business owners' trust in mind."

Survey Highlights: AI Adoption and Expectations Among Entrepreneurs

According to ZenBusiness, current and future business owners recognize AI’s impact, but expectations, use cases, and trust levels vary.

  • Widespread AI Awareness: Nearly all small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs are familiar with AI’s growing impact. Around 30% of business owners say they know a great deal about AI, while another 50% consider themselves somewhat familiar.
  • AI is Becoming Unavoidable: Over 90% of small business owners expect AI to be essential or frequently used in the near future, reinforcing the need for practical, accessible AI-driven tools.
  • Entrepreneurs are Optimistic but Cautious: Excitement and fascination are among the most common sentiments toward AI, but caution is also common, especially regarding trust and data security.
  • Practical AI Use Cases: Small business owners already use AI like a search engine—asking questions, gathering information, and generating content. The most in-demand AI tasks include:
    • Idea and document generation – Entrepreneurs want AI to assist with business plans, marketing content, and website copy.
    • Data analysis and research – AI is valuable for compiling information and generating insights.
    • Business process automation – AI can help streamline tasks like scheduling and bookkeeping.
  • Where AI is Less Trusted: Business owners prefer human oversight in certain areas, including:
    • Customer service and tax filing—entrepreneurs want direct human interaction.
    • Sales and business coaching—AI-driven upselling is seen as intrusive, meaning trust and transparency are critical when integrating AI into business operations.

AI Solutions Designed for Small Business Success

Entrepreneurs see AI as a practical tool to reduce operational burdens, improve decision-making, and provide real-time business insights. From automating routine tasks to enhancing learning and guidance, AI is reshaping how small businesses operate—moving from an emerging technology to an essential part of daily workflows.

While small business owners are optimistic about AI’s benefits, trust and transparency remain critical to its adoption. They want AI tools that are powerful yet accessible, offering real value without adding complexity or risk. As AI becomes more embedded in business operations, companies prioritizing clear, ethical, and practical AI solutions will earn lasting trust.

ZenBusiness has been at the forefront of this shift, making AI accessible to small business owners through intuitive, easy-to-use solutions. In October 2024, the company introduced AI-powered tools to eliminate guesswork and help entrepreneurs navigate everything from business formation to compliance. As AI adoption accelerates, ZenBusiness remains committed to leading the way with practical, trusted AI solutions that empower small business owners to focus on what matters most—growing their businesses.

For more data, including demographic breakdowns of survey results and/or to speak with a ZenBusiness spokesperson, contact press@zenbusiness.com.

Survey Methodology

The survey was conducted online in the United States from January 17 - January 30, 2025, by Qualtrics on behalf of ZenBusiness among two audiences: ZenBusiness customers (n=390) and non-ZenBusiness small businesses who have been in business for less than five years (n=369). This survey measured the attitude, expectations, and usage of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in everyday life and at work. Margin of error is 5.0% for the ZenBusiness portion and 5.1% for the non-ZenBusiness portion. For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables, please contact press@zenbusiness.com.

About ZenBusiness

ZenBusiness® is a company that provides an easy, all-in-one platform and trusted guidance for small business owners. They’ve consolidated all the tools, services, and expert support needed to start, run, and grow a successful business. Think of it as the operating system for small business success. Customers can protect their liability, manage finances, and get customers—all in one place.

ZenBusiness has been named a 2024 Inc Power Partner, a 2024 Silver Stevie® Award winner for Sales & Customer Service in the Front-Line Customer Service Team category, a winner in the Customer Experience, Medium Business category at the 2024 Greater Austin Business Awards, and ranked as the #4 fastest-growing Longhorn business in 2024.

More than 800,000 people have turned to ZenBusiness for their entrepreneurial journeys. For more information, visit www.zenbusiness.com and follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram.