Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) are outpacing their competitors who are hesitant to adopt the technology, according to new research released on April 19, 2026. As employers increasingly seek candidates with AI skills, findings suggest that AI is significantly impacting nearly 2.7 million firms across various sectors.
AI adoption has been linked to a notable increase in productivity among U.S. businesses, with surveys indicating that approximately 75 percent of large companies have integrated AI solutions. Among small and medium-sized enterprises, the adoption rate stands at about 50 percent. A survey conducted by the National Australia Bank (NAB) reveals that 42 percent of SMEs are currently using AI, while 44 percent have not yet made the leap, with 14 percent planning to implement it soon.
There is a marked disparity in AI usage across different sectors. For instance, nearly 70 percent of property service businesses, 64 percent of finance and insurance firms, and 61 percent of business service operations have adopted AI. In stark contrast, only 21 percent of transport businesses are utilizing AI, with 58 percent indicating no plans for future implementation.
Andrew Auerbach, NAB’s group executive for business and private banking, noted that sectors heavily reliant on data, such as finance and business services, were among the first to adopt AI technologies. However, he pointed out that the hospitality industry is also seeing significant interest, with almost 40 percent of SMEs in that sector planning to incorporate AI into their operations.
The expanding interest in AI is evident as businesses increasingly plan to invest in this technology. Auerbach expressed confidence that there will be a substantial increase in SMEs’ investment and use of AI. Research from business service firm MYOB shows that companies utilizing AI are growing 2.8 times faster than their counterparts that do not. Of those employing AI tools, 54 percent reported time savings, while 34 percent experienced increased productivity.
Despite the evident benefits, MYOB’s findings indicate that 46 percent of small and medium-sized firms do not plan to adopt AI in the next year. MYOB CEO Paul Robson warned of a widening gap between businesses that embrace AI and those that do not, describing it as “the most powerful productivity lever the SME economy has experienced in years.” He emphasized that early adopters are gaining a competitive edge, with even modest uptake potentially unlocking billions in additional revenue for the broader economy.
As interest in AI grows, worker apprehension remains a significant factor. Data compiled by Indeed shows an increasing demand for job applicants with some understanding of AI. In 2026, 8.5 percent of employers included AI in their job postings, up from 5.8 percent in early 2025. The demand is particularly pronounced in data and IT roles, but substantial percentages of job listings in marketing (17.1 percent), sales (13.2 percent), and arts or entertainment (11.2 percent) also sought candidates with AI competencies.
However, concerns about AI’s potential impact on job security loom large. A recent report indicated that the rise of AI could trigger widespread job losses, with Australian software firm Atlassian recently announcing a 10 percent reduction of its workforce due to AI integration. Callam Pickering, an economist at Indeed Asia-Pacific, noted that while AI adoption is accelerating, its immediate impact on the job market appears limited.
Workers generally hold a mixed view of AI’s influence on their roles. A survey for Indeed found that while 47 percent of workers expressed minimal concern regarding AI taking their jobs, 56 percent feared it could diminish overall job opportunities. A net 28 percent believe AI will enhance their productivity, and a net 15 percent hope the technology will enable them to engage in more interesting tasks. According to Pickering, the prevailing sentiment among workers is that they believe AI is incapable of performing their jobs.
The rapid evolution of AI technologies continues to reshape the business landscape, with significant implications for productivity and employment dynamics. As more companies recognize the potential of AI, the disparity between early adopters and those lagging behind could widen, further accentuating the importance of technological proficiency in the modern workforce.
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