Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer a futuristic concept; it is reshaping business operations today. Yet, integrating AI remains a complex challenge for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). While large enterprises have the resources to experiment with AI-driven strategies, many SMBs are still trying to determine how to implement these technologies effectively.
WSI, the world’s largest network of digital marketing consultants, is helping bridge that gap. Now in its second year, WSI’s AI Market Research Survey has become a key industry benchmark for understanding how SMBs incorporate AI, identifying successes and persistent challenges. Last year’s findings were revealing:
While 72 percent of SMBs were optimistic about AI’s potential to drive business objectives, 62 percent acknowledged they lacked the in-house expertise to implement AI effectively.
2024 WSI AI Market Research Survey Results
This year, WSI is examining how businesses are adapting and whether those early challenges are being addressed.
The Growing Urgency for AI Adoption
For SMBs, the question is no longer whether they should adopt AI, but how quickly they can do so. AI fundamentally changes how businesses interact with customers, automate processes, and make data-driven decisions. Companies that successfully integrate AI improve efficiency and customer engagement, while those that delay risk falling behind their competitors.
AI is evolving so rapidly that SMBs who hesitate to adopt it risk losing their competitive edge. This survey allows us to track how businesses are responding, where they are facing obstacles, and what strategies they can use to make AI work for them.
Robert Mitchell, WSI’s Chief AI Officer
Despite the increasing availability of AI-powered tools, SMBs face significant barriers to adoption. Many lack the internal expertise to manage AI initiatives, struggle with integrating AI into existing workflows, and remain uncertain about return on investment. These concerns are slowing adoption even as AI becomes more accessible and essential.
Key Areas of Focus in the 2025 Survey
Building on the insights gathered in 2024, this year’s survey seeks to provide a more detailed picture of AI adoption among SMBs. The research will examine:
Changes in AI adoption rates over the past year
The industries leading AI integration and those lagging behind
New barriers to implementation that have emerged
The evolving role of AI in digital marketing and business strategy
WSI emphasizes that the survey is not just about collecting data but about giving businesses actionable insights:
Our goal is to ensure that SMBs are not just observing AI’s evolution from the sidelines but actively engaging with it in a way that supports their long-term success.
Valerie Brown-Dufour, President of WSI
Why SMBs Should Participate
WSI’s AI Market Research Survey is open to SMBs across industries and is available in multiple languages, including English, French, Spanish, and Portuguese. The survey takes approximately 15 minutes to complete, and participants will receive exclusive access to the full report, which provides valuable industry benchmarks and insights into AI’s role in business growth.
Take the 2025 WSI AI Market Research Survey
The Road Ahead for AI and SMBs
As AI continues to evolve, SMBs will need to develop a more strategic approach to adoption. The businesses that can successfully integrate AI into their operations will be better positioned to drive growth, improve efficiency, and deliver enhanced customer experiences.
WSI’s research aims to support this transition by providing clear, data-driven insights that help SMBs make informed decisions about AI. With AI reshaping industries at an unprecedented pace, businesses that embrace innovation now will be the ones best equipped to navigate the digital future.
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Originally Published on Martech Zone: How AI Adoption Among SMBs is Evolving: Insights from WSI’s Industry Benchmark Survey