Artificial intelligence for small businesses: how to use technology to grow

Artificial intelligence (AI) is already part of the daily life of many companies, regardless of size. In Brazil, 47% of small and medium-sized companies (SMEs), for example, already use or plan to adopt AI in their operations, according to a survey by Serasa Experian. Among Brazilian startups, this number is even higher: 78% of them already have some form of AI in their routines, according to Founders Overview 2024.

A Streamline, an online accounting startup, is a practical example of this adoption. According to Adriano Fialho, CTO and co-founder of the company, the transition to the use of AI faced some internal resistance, but the positive impact on productivity soon became evident.

“One of the biggest impacts was on the business process. We have AI capable of conducting a sale from start to finish, increasing efficiency. Another significant impact was on the autonomy of the teams. People who are not in the technology area can already create solutions using AI, without having to resort to developers for everything. This increases the independence and productivity of the company as a whole”, explains Fialho.

AI and the job market

The advancement of AI also raises questions about the future of work, he said, technology is transforming employment dynamics, replacing some operational functions, and also creating new opportunities.

“The risk of lack of employment exists for those who do not follow the change, but at the same time, new opportunities are emerging. The profile of professionals will change, and entrepreneurs will need smaller, more strategic and complemented by (virtual employees of the‘ IE, AI agents who take on repetitive and operational tasks’, analyzes Fialho.

AI tips for small businesses

According to Adriano Fialho if he had to choose a single essential tool, it would be ChatGPT for flexibility. 

“It is not only a text assistant, it has skills for search, search for references, image generation, even voice and video conversation.It is a versatile tool that can help in several areas, from customer service to automation of internal processes”, he explains.

But there are many other options that he recommends and can be incorporated into the day-to-day business:

• Claude (Anthropic): Powerful alternative to ChatGPT for writing and data analysis tasks.
• MidJourney and Leonardo.AI: Platforms specialized in AI imaging.
• PhotoRoom: Excellent for quick editing of images for social networks.
• Runway: AI solution for editing and creating videos.
• Descript: Tool for transcription, editing and creation of videos from audio.
• ElevenLabs AI specializes in generating realistic voice for voiceovers and voiceovers.
• Fireflies.ai: Ideal for automatic transcription of meetings and calls.
• Gamma.app Tool for automated presentation creation.
• Notion AI: AI that assists in organizing information and generating intelligent summaries.

AI as an ally of the small business owner

As with the internet, AI is becoming an essential tool for business.“S Small entrepreneurs who adapt quickly to this new reality tend to stand out in the market, taking advantage of the full potential of this technological revolution”, says the entrepreneur.

According to him, the use of AI can provide significant competitive advantages for small businesses, optimizing time, reducing costs and increasing operational efficiency.However, the expert warns of the need for a conscious use of technology.

“It is not enough to adopt AI anyway & IT is necessary to know the technology well, choose the right tool for the right problem and ensure that the data is protected. Those who know how to use these technologies well, can gain a significant advantage in the market. On the other hand, those who choose not to explore these innovations can face great challenges to follow the evolution of the” sector, concludes Fialho.