In a market that demands quick responses, personalization, and data-driven decisions, innovation has ceased to be a competitive advantage—it has become a survival criterion. In this context, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is gaining traction among small Brazilian businesses as an accessible, practical, and quick-return ally.
According to recent data from the Sebrae Innovation Observatory, 78% of micro-enterprises in the country already use data and algorithm-based technologies to automate tasks and generate insights. This movement aligns with the growth of entrepreneurship in Brazil: in the first quarter of 2025 alone, 1.4 million new small businesses were opened, consolidating the country as the 6th with the most established entrepreneurs in the world, according to Federal Government figures.
“Today, AI is no longer exclusive to large corporations with million-dollar budgets. There are ready-to-use tools, with low costs and specifically designed for the daily routine of small entrepreneurs,” says Antonio Muniz, technology expert and president of Editora Brasport, a reference in technical publications in IT and management fields.
According to him, the main advantage lies in the simplicity of adoption: “The game-changer is understanding that AI can start small, with simple solutions like chatbots for customer service, recommendation systems, or email marketing automations. The secret is to start with a strategic focus and grow based on results.”
AI in Practice: First Steps for Small Entrepreneurs
Despite increasing accessibility, many small business owners still have doubts about how to start applying artificial intelligence in their daily operations. For Muniz, the first step is mapping operational bottlenecks—manual processes that consume time, generate rework, or prevent the business from scaling.
Among the most viable uses for small businesses are:
- WhatsApp customer service bots to answer questions and automatically capture orders;
- AI-powered CRM tools, which segment customers and personalize marketing campaigns;
- Generative AI (like ChatGPT) for drafting product descriptions, social media posts, and sales emails;
- Demand forecasting and inventory control systems, based on sales history;
- Data analysis platforms, which help anticipate consumer behavior and market trends.
“These technologies do not require deep technical knowledge. The most important thing is for the entrepreneur to start—even with a single process—and understand how AI can increase their efficiency and competitiveness,” concludes Muniz.
