46% of US small employer firms said the business or its employees use AI, in the Federal Reserve Banks' Small Business Credit Survey fielded 3 September to 14 November 2025. Another 15% planned to start within 12 months, and one-third had no plans.
| Group | Small employer firms |
|---|---|
| Use AI now | 46% |
| Plan to start in 12 months | 15% |
| No plans | 33% |
In plain words
Almost half of small US businesses with staff now use AI in some way, most often for writing and marketing.
of small employer firms use AI (business or employees)
plan to start within 12 months
of users say AI raised productivity
Why you can trust it. Federal Reserve Banks survey of 6,525 small employer firms. It is a convenience sample, so it can lean toward firms that are more engaged.
Source: Federal Reserve Banks, Small Business Credit Survey, Sep-Nov 2025
Before and now
Survey fielded 3 Sep to 14 Nov 2025.
Fed Banks publish the 2026 Report on Employer Firms.
The SBCS runs yearly; the next employer report is expected in 2027.
Compare
USA Sep-Nov 2025
LatestFirm used AI in last two weeks (Oct 2026)
-21.7 ptsNarrower question and shorter time window
-21.4 ptsExecutives in 7 countries, mostly larger firms
+32 ptsCompare yourself with the published data for firms your size.
of US firms with 1 to 4 employees used AI in a business function in the last two weeks, close to the 24.6% national rate (small firms, USA). All firms: 24.6%.
Most firms your size have not started either, so an early start is still an edge.
US Census Bureau, Business Trends and Outlook Survey, Oct 2026
Who it is for
Benchmark your AI use against peers.
Writing and marketing (83%) is the most common use.
Know where small clients already use AI.
Offer help with accuracy, the top challenge (46%).
Understand small-firm tech adoption.
15% plan to start within a year.
Who it affects
The same 46% means something different for each group.
Most users report higher productivity; most saw no change in labor costs.
About a third report higher sales.
Over half say AI is not applicable; 30% prefer not to use it.
Gains and risks
Numbers from studies and surveys, each with its source.
of small-firm AI users said AI increased productivity.Federal Reserve Banks, SBCS 2025
of small-firm AI users noted improved quality of goods and services.Federal Reserve Banks, SBCS 2025
of AI users named accuracy as a top challenge.Federal Reserve Banks, SBCS 2025
of AI users struggled to adapt tools to their business needs.Federal Reserve Banks, SBCS 2025
Where it shows
Writing or marketing is the top use: 83% of small-firm AI users.
Among firms planning AI, 37% cite the time to implement or train staff as a top challenge.
The future
Forecasts below are made by others and linked to where they were published. Our own reading of the data is marked as ours.
Additional small employer firms planning to begin using AI in the next 12 months (2025 survey)
By Federal Reserve Banks (SBCS), 3 Mar 2026
All US employer firms expecting to use AI in the next six months (Oct 2026)
By US Census Bureau (BTOS), 22 Oct 2026
Next data
The next Small Business Credit Survey report on employer firms is expected in early 2027.
Federal Reserve Banks, yearly
The data
As published by Federal Reserve Banks, Small Business Credit Survey, Sep-Nov 2025. Standard errors are shown where the source gives them.
| Small employer firms (1-499 staff), 2025 survey | Share |
|---|---|
| Use AI now (business or employees) | 46% |
| Plan to start in next 12 months | 15% |
| No plans to use AI | 33% |
| AI users: writing or marketing | 83% |
| AI users: individual productivity | 61% |
| AI users: planning or analysis | 51% |
| AI users: increased productivity | 71% |
| AI users: improved quality | 39% |
| AI users: higher sales | 31% |
| AI users: top challenge, accuracy | 46% |
The Fed counts AI used by the business or any employee at any time; Census asks whether the business used AI in a business function in the last two weeks.
The Fed survey is a convenience sample of firms that chose to answer; Census draws a random sample of all employer firms.
Method and use
Nearly half of firms (46%) reported that their business or its employees currently use AI, while an additional 15% planned to begin using it in the next 12 months. One-third of firms have no plans to use AI.
No changes recorded yet. First checked at the source on 23 Oct 2026.
APA
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FAQ
46% of US small employer firms said the business or its employees use AI (Fed Small Business Credit Survey, fall 2025). The Census rate for firms with 1 to 4 staff is 24.3% (Oct 2026) on a narrower question.
Mostly writing or marketing (83% of users), then individual productivity (61%) and planning or analysis (51%).
71% of small-firm AI users said it increased productivity and 31% reported higher sales; most saw no change in labor costs.
Of the 33% with no plans, over half say AI is not applicable to their business and 30% prefer not to use it.
We help small and mid-size firms turn data like this into useful content, answers for customers and visibility in AI search.
Every number on this page was checked at its original source. Free to cite with a link to this page.
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