Wrestling the Robots: How Local Businesses Use AI

Artificial intelligence (AI) tools like ChatGPT are no longer futuristic novelties—they’re practical, affordable, and increasingly valuable for small businesses. While AI adoption among large corporations is well-documented, small businesses across the Midwest, including Austin, Minnesota, are finding creative ways to leverage AI for efficiency and growth.

AI Adoption by the Numbers

Recent surveys show that small businesses are warming up to AI:

• 37% of small businesses use ChatGPT or similar AI tools for various tasks (Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council).
• AI usage in business operations increased from 3.7% to 5.4% in a short span, with expectations to reach 6.6% soon (U.S. Census Bureau).
• AI adoption is most common for customer service (56%), content creation (45%), and data analysis (30%) (Onsite Computers Inc.).

Practical Applications of AI for Small Businesses

Here’s how small businesses—especially in Austin, MN—are using ChatGPT and AI to streamline operations and improve customer engagement.

1. Marketing & Content Creation

Most small businesses don’t have dedicated marketing teams, making AI a powerful tool for:

✅ Writing social media posts, blog articles, and email newsletters.
✅ Generating ad copy and SEO-friendly website content.
✅ Providing fresh campaign ideas in seconds.

📌 Example: A coffee shop in Austin uses ChatGPT to draft Instagram captions promoting seasonal drinks, saving hours of brainstorming time. The Chamber of Commerce uses ChatGPT to add those annoying emojis to its Facebook posts to save time.

2. Customer Service & Engagement

AI is helping businesses improve response times and handle common inquiries through:

✅ Automated chatbots on websites.
✅ Pre-written responses for social media and email.
✅ AI-generated FAQs based on past customer interactions.

📌 Example: A local auto repair shop in Minnesota uses AI to generate instant responses for appointment availability and pricing estimates.

3. Data Analysis & Decision Support

AI tools can process large amounts of data quickly, helping small businesses make smarter decisions:

✅ Analyzing sales trends and customer behavior.
✅ Extracting insights from customer reviews.
✅ Forecasting inventory needs.

📌 Example: A boutique uses ChatGPT to analyze past holiday sales data, predicting which products to restock.

4. Business Operations & Efficiency

Many business owners use AI to cut down on administrative workload by automating:
✅ Writing job descriptions and screening resumes.
✅ Creating meeting summaries and reports.
✅ Drafting contracts or policy documents.

📌 Example: The Chamber of Commerce uses Grain, a plug-in for Zoom meetings, to capture the transcripts for certain meetings, which automatically generates summaries of key points discussed, making it easy to share information more quickly.

How Austin, MN Businesses Are Using AI

While specific data on AI use in Austin, MN, is limited, regional trends suggest:

• Independent retailers are using AI for personalized email marketing.
• Healthcare & insurance providers are simplifying patient communications with AI-generated messages.
• Restaurants are managing online ordering descriptions and promotions.
• Agricultural businesses are using AI for grant writing and precision farming insights.

What’s Next? AI Adoption Is Just Beginning

Despite its benefits, AI adoption among small businesses is still in its early stages. Some businesses hesitate due to concerns about accuracy, security, and the complexity of implementation. However, as more businesses in Austin and across Minnesota experiment with AI, those who embrace it early will gain a competitive edge.

Are you curious about integrating AI into your business? The Austin Area Chamber of Commerce is here to help connect you with resources and insights. Let’s keep Austin businesses ahead of the curve while retaining the human touch!