Two-thirds of U.S. small businesses now use AI, according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's 2026 Empowering Small Business report, published October 2. That is up 8 points from 2025 and nearly triple the 23% recorded in 2023. The Chamber found that 41% of small businesses use six or more technology platforms and 84% plan to increase technology use over the next two to three years. A separate July 2026 survey of 561 small and midsize business owners by Thryv also put AI adoption at 66%, up from 55% a year earlier, with 70% saying they need more training.
The Chamber found AI-using businesses were at least 7 points more likely to report growth in sales, profits, and workforce than those not using it. It also found that 95% of AI-using small businesses are working to upskill employees, and that six in ten worry about compliance costs from a patchwork of state privacy and AI laws. Inflation remained the top challenge, cited by 32%.
If AI use in your business has grown informally, now is a good time to take stock. List the AI tools employees actually use, decide which ones are approved for company data, and pay for business versions where that matters, since they typically come with better data protections. Training matters more than another tool: pick two or three tasks where AI clearly saves time and teach people to do those well.
The Chamber report is the fifth edition of its series on how small businesses use technology.
Does this affect your business?
Our advisors can help you figure out the right move, at no cost.