2025 WSI AI Business Insights Report
Unlock a world of possibilities with the latest AI trends captured in WSI's 2025 AI Business Insights Report, Navigating The AI Landscape: Strategic Insights for Small and Medium-Sized Businesses. Explicitly designed for growth-oriented business leaders, this report provides a comprehensive analysis of how companies worldwide are leveraging AI to drive growth and innovation while also highlighting the roles and industries that are embracing AI.
This report provides exclusive insights into the transformative impact of AI on small and medium-sized businesses, sharing practical tactics that businesses can start leveraging today.
The Evolution of AI & Its Transformative Impact on
Small and Medium-Sized Businesses Worldwide
AI is no longer just the buzz at boardroom tables—it’s becoming a practical conversation in day-to-day business. And yet, one thing is clear: while confidence in AI is climbing, many small and mid-sized businesses are still figuring out how to turn that confidence into action.
If you’re feeling the pressure to “catch up on AI” but aren’t sure where to start, you’re not alone. And this report is your shortcut to clarity.
At WSI, we believe AI should serve your strategy—not distract from it. So let’s dive in!
AI Confidence is Growing
Despite growing recognition of AI's potential, only 27% of businesses report that AI is a frequent topic of formal discussions within their organization. That’s up from 20% in 2024, but it still signals a persistent disconnect between the recognition of AI’s value and its integration in strategic discussions.
Here's how to take the first steps toward addressing these obstacles:
Establish AI as a Strategic Priority
Start Small with Dedicated Resources
Leverage Guidance from Experts
Move Beyond the "Do More With Less" Trap
Familiarity with AI is Growing Fast
The survey reveals a significant increase in AI familiarity among business professionals, with 59% of respondents now reporting that they are very or moderately familiar with AI, up from just 38% in 2024. This 21% point increase demonstrates the rapid growth in awareness of AI technologies and their business applications.
However, this rising familiarity has yet to translate into structured learning. 52% of those who consider themselves very or moderately familiar with AI have not completed any formalized AI training. That’s an improvement from 2024, when 69% lacked formal training, but most AI familiarity today still comes from self-guided learning rather than structured training.
Here's how to take the first steps toward addressing these obstacles:
Develop Structured Learning Paths
Implement Learn-by-Doing Programs
Encourage Knowledge Sharing Across Teams
Bridge the Confidence-Competence Gap
AI is Expanding Beyond Leadership
Management (54%) and Marketing/Communications (43%) continue to lead AI implementation, with Marketing/Communications adoption remaining consistent, while Management shows a slight decrease from 58% in 2024.
The data reveals that AI adoption is gradually expanding beyond its traditional strongholds. Sales adoption has risen to 33% (up from 23% in 2024), IT to 26% (from 19%), and Operations to 24% (from 15%). These substantial year-over-year increases suggest that AI is starting to penetrate operational departments, which can lead to significant efficiency gains and process improvements.
Here's how to take the first steps toward addressing these obstacles:
Create Cross-Functional AI Working Groups
Develop Department-Specific Value Propositions
Implement Phased Adoption Plans
Create a Unified AI Adoption Roadmap
Why You Need This Report
WSI's 2025 AI Business Insights Report, Navigating The AI Landscape: Strategic Insights for Small and Medium-Sized Businesses, is an essential resource that offers:
👉 Strategic Insights: Gain real-world insights into how businesses are effectively implementing AI and identify opportunities for growth in your industry.
👉 Competitive Edge: Explore the AI trends that are setting businesses apart in 2025.
👉 Actionable Advice: Get practical tips on integrating AI into your core business processes.
Whether you're a business owner aiming to enhance your operational efficiency, a marketer on the quest to elevate your company's sales and customer interactions, or an enthusiast eager to understand what technological advancements are on the horizon, this report is a must-read.
It's a comprehensive analysis filled with insights that cater to a wide range of interests and needs. If you value staying ahead of the curve and understanding how AI influences future trends and society, you'll find the forward-looking analysis invaluable.
Download your free copy of WSI's 2025 Navigating the AI Landscape: Strategic Insights for Small and Medium-Sized Businesses report today and begin leveraging artificial intelligence to drive your business forward.