Is AI available to SMEs too?
When you think of Artificial Intelligence, you might picture big tech companies like Google or complex systems at multinationals. So the question ‘Is AI available for SMEs too?’ is a perfectly logical one. Many business owners assume it’s too expensive, too complicated or simply not meant for them.
The short answer? Yes, absolutely. In fact, AI is more accessible and valuable for SMEs than ever before. We’ll walk you through 3 applications of AI that are already available to your business, from simple tools you can use today to a strategic approach for the future.
The assistant that is available right now (and that you can try today)
The most accessible form of AI is the one most people already know: smart language models like ChatGPT and Gemini. This is AI you can use straight away in your web browser, often for free. Think of it as your personal intern or sounding board, ready to take on all kinds of everyday, time-consuming tasks.
Familiar examples:
- Drafting professional emails: Need to send a tricky email to a dissatisfied customer? Give the AI the core of your message and ask it to turn it into a professional, empathetic text.
- Coming up with social media content: No inspiration for your weekly LinkedIn post? Ask the AI to come up with 5 ideas that are relevant to your industry and target audience.
- Writing job adverts: Provide the job requirements and the company culture, and let the AI generate an appealing and inclusive job advert.
The ‘hidden’ AI in the software you already use
The second way AI is available to you is perhaps the most surprising: chances are you’re already paying for it every month without making full use of it. Many of your current software suppliers have built AI features straight into their programs. Often you don’t need to buy a new tool; you just need to know where to find the ‘AI button’.
Familiar examples:
- In your accounting software: Tools such as Moneybird or Jortt use AI to scan your receipts and purchase invoices. The software automatically recognises the amounts, VAT and supplier and prepares them in your bookkeeping. That is a pure time-saver.
- In your email marketing: Programs such as Mailchimp or ActiveCampaign use AI to help you write better subject lines or to predict the perfect send time for your newsletter.
- In your website tools: Within WordPress or Shopify there are countless AI plugins that can help you (re)write product descriptions or SEO copy, right in the environment where you already work.
The strategic step – Your own, trained AI
For businesses that want to take the next step in efficiency, professionalism and customer experience, there is a third level. This isn’t a generic tool trained on the entire internet, but an AI trained exclusively on the data, knowledge and processes of your own business.
The gains are huge. Just imagine:
- A chatbot on your website that can answer specific customer questions based on your own technical manuals or project information.
- An internal assistant that can generate a complete quote at the push of a button, entirely in your unique tone of voice, with the right prices and the correct terms and conditions.
- A system that analyses all your customer feedback and tells you exactly where the areas for improvement in your service lie.
That is the power of your own trained AI. It’s the ultimate way to automate your business processes while keeping your unique character and expertise.
AI is available, the question is where you start
So, is AI available for SMEs? Yes. At every level. Whether you start small with a simple question to ChatGPT, discover the hidden AI features in your current software, or think about your own trained assistant for the future.
The question is no longer whether it’s possible, but which application adds the most value to your specific business and where you can start responsibly. That’s exactly where we help you. Want to find out which AI opportunities are most relevant and achievable for your business processes? Have a BE Digital Scan carried out, no strings attached. We’ll map out the possibilities for your SME and give you clear, no-nonsense advice.