RALEIGH, N.C. — Small business owners in Raleigh got a look at how artificial intelligence is reshaping their work on Thursday, Oct. 29, when the U.S. Chamber of Commerce brought a small business AI forum to the city as part of a national bus tour.
The forum was held at Murphy’s Naturals, a consumer goods maker known for natural mosquito repellent that produces 85 percent of its products in Raleigh, with coworking space The Loading Dock as a partner. Chamber senior vice presidents Courtney Felts and Tom Sullivan led the talk with local owners and regional chamber leaders.
The stop is one of more than 50 events on the Free Enterprise Express Opportunity Tour, a six-week trip through 20 states.
Much of the discussion centered on new Chamber research. Its report on technology and small business found that 47 percent of small firms say AI is creating jobs, while only 6 percent report cutting staff because of it. The Chamber also says about two-thirds of small businesses now use AI, and the share has nearly tripled in three years.
Felts said roughly 90 percent of small businesses that use AI grew their workforce from one year to the next, compared with about 80 percent of firms that do not. She said being small lets owners move fast and change course quickly, which has helped them adopt the tools.
The group also talked about worries among young adults starting careers. Felts urged them to stay curious, resilient and adaptable, watch where the economy is heading and build their own AI skills.
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