Artificial intelligence (AI) is already part of the daily life of many companies, regardless of size. In Brazil, 47% of small and medium-sized enterprises (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 incorporate some form of AI into their routines, according to the Founders Overview 2024.
A Speed upan online accounting startup is a practical example of this adoption. According to Adriano Fialho, CTO and co-founder of the company, the transition to using AI faced some internal resistance, but the positive impact on productivity soon became evident.
“One of the biggest impacts was on the sales process. We have AI capable of conducting a sale from start to finish, increasing efficiency. Another significant impact was on the autonomy of teams. People who are not from the technology area can now 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. According to the specialist, technology is transforming employment dynamics, replacing some operational roles, and also creating new opportunities.
“There is a risk of unemployment for those who do not keep up with the changes, but at the same time, new opportunities are emerging. The profile of professionals will change, and entrepreneurs will need smaller, more strategic teams, complemented by ‘virtual employees’ – that is, AI agents that take on repetitive and operational tasks,” says Fialho.
AI Tips for Small Businesses
According to Adriano Fialho, if he had to choose a single essential tool, it would be ChatGPT for its flexibility.
“It’s not just a text assistant, it has capabilities for research, reference searches, image generation, and even voice and video conversations. It’s a versatile tool that can help in a variety of areas, from customer service to internal process automation,” he explains.
But there are many other options that he recommends and can be incorporated into your day-to-day business:
- Claude (Anthropic): Powerful alternative to ChatGPT for writing and data analysis tasks.
- MidJourney e Leonardo.AI: Platforms specialized in generating images with AI.
- PhotoRoom:Great for quick image editing for social media.
- Runway:AI solution for video editing and creation.
- Descript:Tool for transcribing, editing and creating videos from audio.
- ElevenLabs:AI specialized in generating realistic voice for dubbing and narration.
- Fireflies.ai:Ideal for automatic transcription of meetings and calls.
- Gamma.app:Tool for automated presentation creation.
- AI concept:AI that helps organize information and generate intelligent summaries.
AI as an ally for small business owners
Just like with the internet, AI is becoming an essential tool for businesses. "Small entrepreneurs who quickly adapt to this new reality tend to stand out in the market, taking advantage of the full potential of this technological revolution," says the businessman.
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 specialist warns of the need for conscious use of technology.
“It’s not enough to adopt AI any old way – you need to know the technology well, choose the right tool for the right problem and ensure that 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 may face major challenges in keeping up with the evolution of the sector”, concludes Fialho.
