AI: Everything You Need to Know
- Clive Schwartz
- Jun 17
- 3 min read
With the ongoing AI hype, I have been thinking about what we, as business owners or leaders, need to be thinking about for our businesses as we ride the AI wave.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has moved from a boardroom buzzword to a business reality. It can feel like AI is everywhere, but what is AI? And how much of it do you need to know to run or grow your business?
Do you want to understand the basics of AI, what it is, how it works, and, most importantly, how it can help your business?
So, what is AI? Really?
At its core, Artificial Intelligence (AI) refers to machines that can simulate human intelligence, like:
Understanding language - how Siri or Alexa responds to questions.
Recognising patterns - identifying fraud in a bank transaction.
Making predictions - forecasting which customers are likely to buy again.
AI can be as simple as a tool that predicts your next calendar appointment or as complex as a system that drives an autonomous vehicle. For most, the AI you'll encounter is much more practical and accessible.
The 3 Main Types of AI You'll See in Business
Here are the most common forms of AI relevant to SMBs:
1. Automation AI
The most common form for businesses involves using AI to automate repetitive tasks, such as:
Auto-tagging emails.
Managing appointment bookings.
Generating invoices.
Sending follow-up emails.
What's the value: It saves time, reduces manual errors, and frees up your team to focus on higher-value work.
2. Predictive AI
This type of AI analyses past data to make informed predictions such as:
Inventory forecasts.
Sales predictions.
Staff rostering tools that adjust for seasonality.
What's the value: Predictive AI helps you make smarter decisions through providing trends and giving you clarity on what's likely to happen next.
3. Generative AI
You've likely heard of tools like ChatGPT, DALL·E, or Canva's Magic Write. These tools can create written content, images, or even code from simple prompts.
What's the value: Generative AI can help small teams produce professional-quality content quickly, from social posts to product descriptions and reports.
Some Common Myths
"AI is too expensive for my business."
False! Many AI-powered tools are designed for both small and large businesses, offering affordable monthly subscriptions. In many instances, AI is already included in the software you already use.
"You need to be a tech expert to use AI."
Also false! Most tools have intuitive interfaces, tutorials, and automation templates that don't require any coding or IT knowledge. Just the will to persevere.
"AI will replace my staff."
Not quite! AI will help remove tedious and repetitive work, allowing your people to focus on what matters most, like building relationships, solving complex problems, and driving growth.
How to Get Started (Without Being Overwhelmed)
You don't need to adopt every AI tool out there. Start with these three steps:
1. Identify Time Wasters
Where are you or your team losing the most time each week? Email back-and-forth? Manual reporting? Late-night social media scheduling? These are all areas where AI can help.
2. Test One AI-Powered Tool
Pick one task and try an AI tool designed to streamline it. For example:
Use ChatGPT to draft content.
Try Tidio or ManyChat for basic customer support bots.
Use Canva's Magic Write to generate Instagram captions.
3. Track the Impact
Even basic AI can save you hours per week. It is essential to monitor changes and their impact on your team's time, accuracy, and productivity. That's your ROI.
To conclude: AI doesn't have to be scary, complex, or expensive. For today's business, it's a practical toolset that can help you run leaner, smarter, and faster. Whether you're trying to grow your business, improve customer experience, or get more done in less time.
The key? Start small. Stay curious. And don't be afraid to experiment.
The future of business isn't about human vs. machine. It's about humans and machines working together to achieve more.
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