Small Businesses Report AI Creating Jobs

A U.S. Chamber of Commerce survey finds small businesses are far more likely to say AI adds jobs than cuts them.

Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Artificial Intelligence

Small Businesses Report AI Creating Jobs

Live Poll

Do you think AI will create more jobs than it eliminates over the next decade?

A U.S. Chamber of Commerce survey found small businesses are nearly eight times more likely to report AI creating jobs than reducing them. About 66% of small businesses now use AI, up from 23% in 2023.

Why it matters

Small businesses employ roughly half of private-sector workers in the U.S., so their experience with AI carries weight across the national labor market. The findings suggest AI is currently replacing specific tasks such as routine writing, data analysis, and basic coding rather than entire occupations.

Small businesses use AI for marketing, customer service, accounting, sales, and cybersecurity, and some write their own code for websites and apps. The survey does not specify performance metrics for these tools, and its long-term effect on hiring remains unclear.

The players

U.S. Chamber of Commerce

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is a national business advocacy federation representing companies of all sizes across the United States.

The details

Small businesses use AI to compress lengthy processes into shorter timeframes, freeing workers for other jobs. In the District, 80% of small businesses that have used AI increased their workforce over the last year.

2023: Small business AI adoption stood at 23%.
Over the last year: District small businesses using AI increased their workforce.
November 10, 2026: The survey findings were reported.

Roadmap

Small business AI adoption rose from 23% in 2023 to about 66% in the Chamber's latest survey, a rapid expansion in a short period. Current evidence points to AI displacing specific tasks such as routine writing, data analysis, and basic coding, with young and early-career workers hit hardest.

Small business owners can use AI to save time on marketing, accounting, and customer service tasks. Workers in routine writing, data analysis, and basic coding roles may see those tasks change as businesses adopt these tools.

The takeaway

Small businesses are finding that AI can free workers from time-consuming tasks and, in many cases, support hiring. Those planning for AI use should focus on which specific tasks it can take over rather than assuming whole jobs will disappear.