Six in 10 (61%) small enterprises now view generative artificial intelligence as essential to their business, research by Irish digital growth consultancy LeanBPI has found.

A survey of small business owners employing fewer than 20 employees shows that generative AI, such as chatbots and text-to-image AI models, are improving efficiency (67%) and easing the pressure to hire additional staff (60%).

A significant proportion of small enterprise owners (70%) also report that generative AI lightens the workload for them and their teams, while three-quarters (75%) note how they help to level the playing field with larger competitors.

While 62% are now using AI chatbots like ChatGPT and Gemini on a daily basis, 14% of small businesses aren't using them, and 13% believe they are not relevant to their business.

In fact, the deployment by small businesses of AI overall is not so widespread, with less than half (41%) of respondents using AI to automate tasks and 47% thinking AI is better suited to larger enterprises.

Trust was cited by 44% as a significant barrier, while 30% say they are being priced out of deploying AI tools.

The research, which was conducted by Censuswide for LeanBPI, coincides with the launch of the company's Digital Recovery Plan aimed at small enterprises that have previously struggled with digital adoption.

The new service will see LeanBPI carry out diagnostics of any digital systems that a business already has in place, while also assessing any failed attempts to become more digital.

LeanBPI will then devise a bespoke recovery programme that identifies the issues at hand and creates a practical approach to taking the next steps forward.

“With extensive experience working with small businesses, particularly in partnership with the country’s Local Enterprise Offices, we have seen first-hand that digital is too important to just have one stab at it," said John O'Shanahan, managing director of LeanBPI.

"As our research at LeanBPI shows, generative AI is now an essential tool for small enterprises. It enables tangible benefits that don’t just level the playing field but even provide the competitive edge to thrive against larger organisations.

“Failing once is not a sign that a business should give up entirely; navigating new technology is complex and time-consuming. Our mistakes often provide us with the valuable insights needed to learn what works and what doesn’t.

"Small businesses simply need the right guidance and support to get back on track and that’s exactly where LeanBPI will help.”

Photo: John O'Shanahan, Managing Director, LeanBPI. (Pic: Supplied)