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A New Era Of Possibility For Everyday Businesses
If you’ve ever wondered whether generative AI was just hype or something that could genuinely help a business grow, you’re not alone.
Not long ago, headlines painted AI as a risky investment, a shiny experiment with disappointing results. Many small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) felt skeptical, unsure whether the technology would actually pay off or simply drain budgets.
But something has shifted—quietly at first, and now unmistakably.
New findings from The Wharton School reveal that a solid majority of companies are no longer just dabbling in AI.
They’re seeing real returns. And for many leaders, that shift feels almost like watching a new tool reshape the workplace right in front of their eyes. What once felt experimental is quickly becoming essential.
This article explores why expectations around AI are changing so dramatically, what the research really shows, and how everyday companies—especially SMBs—can tap into this momentum without feeling overwhelmed.
Why The Numbers Don’t Match Old Headlines
Not long ago, a viral MIT report claimed that 95% of generative AI projects were failing. The message spread quickly—fueling fear and hesitancy. Business owners told themselves, “If the big companies can’t make it work, what chance do we have?”
But Wharton’s latest study paints a completely different picture:
75% of companies surveyed now report positive ROI from generative AI.
So what changed?
A lot, actually.
Leaders in Wharton’s survey are using AI more frequently—and more purposefully. Nearly half use it every single day, and 82% use it at least weekly. It’s become a tool they rely on, not an experiment collecting digital dust.
The research shows companies aren’t chasing huge, complicated AI systems. They’re using AI for realistic, everyday tasks:
Analyzing data
Summarizing documents
Drafting and editing content
Organizing team knowledge
Enhancing customer communication
These smaller wins add up quickly. Instead of waiting for a massive AI transformation, companies are stacking small, consistent improvements—each one offering real value.
To put it in plain terms:
AI stopped being a moonshot. It became a work tool.
This shift alone helps explain the dramatic difference between past disappointment and today’s growing optimism.
Confidence Grows When Budgets Follow
A powerful sign that businesses believe in generative AI is their willingness to invest in it. According to the Wharton report, 88% of leaders expect their AI budgets to increase next year—and most expect double-digit growth.
That kind of commitment doesn’t happen unless leaders are seeing real results.
Dr. Ethan Mollick, a professor at The Wharton School who studies human-AI interaction, has been vocal about this transition, often reminding businesses that real value comes from using AI consistently and thoughtfully.
He explains it simply:
“The organizations that gain the most from AI are the ones that treat it like a skill to be developed, not a magic button.”
This mindset shift—seeing AI as a tool that improves with human guidance—mirrors what the data shows. AI works best when people work with it, not around it.
The Human Skills Gap That’s Holding Businesses Back
Of all the findings in the report, one stands out:
The biggest barrier to success isn’t the technology. It’s the skill gap.
Nearly half of leaders say they struggle to find people who truly understand generative AI. Another 46% say they urgently need more training for their existing teams.
This tells us something important:
AI is moving fast, but people are still catching up.
Dr. Fei-Fei Li, Co-Director of Stanford’s Human-Centered AI Institute, often emphasizes that technology is only as powerful as the people using it. She puts it in relatable terms:
“AI is not going to replace people, but people who use AI will replace people who don’t.”
Her point lands especially hard for SMBs, where one adaptable employee can make a huge impact. When a business trains its team—one person or twenty—it unlocks the ability to use AI consistently, skillfully, and confidently.
And there’s an added benefit:
Employees who feel supported in learning new skills are more likely to embrace AI rather than fear it.
The Rise Of Internal AI Champions
Even when a company is excited about generative AI, hesitations can linger. People worry about making mistakes, losing control, or not being “techy enough.”
That’s why the Wharton report stresses the importance of internal champions—employees who help others feel comfortable and curious.
Paul Roetzer, founder of the Marketing AI Institute, describes it simply:
“You have to pull them along.”
His message is a reminder: adoption is a team sport. The more people see AI used in small, helpful ways, the more they’re willing to try it themselves.
Some companies have even formalized roles like “AI lead,” “AI advocate,” or “workflow coach.” But often it starts with one person saying, “Let me show you something cool.”
These champions create a ripple effect—one that can change the entire culture of a workplace.
The Everyday Wins That Add Up To ROI
For many businesses, the ROI of generative AI isn’t a single dramatic transformation. It’s the cumulative effect of dozens of small improvements:
A sales manager who prepares proposals faster.
A founder who automates weekly reporting.
A marketing team that drafts content in minutes instead of hours.
A customer service rep who responds more clearly and consistently.
To help leaders understand this shift, Wharton researchers highlight that productivity gains often start with simple wins—not complex systems. That’s good news for SMBs, where time savings can dramatically affect revenue.
Dr. Andrew McAfee, Principal Research Scientist at MIT Sloan, often explains this phenomenon:
“Businesses overestimate what AI needs to be useful and underestimate what it can do right now.”
This insight helps take the pressure off. You don’t need a giant AI overhaul. You just need to begin.
Why Long-Term AI Success Is A Strategy, Not A Sprint
Even though many businesses are seeing quick wins, sustained success requires planning. The Wharton report warns against assuming that early gains guarantee long-term results.
AI works best when companies:
Have a clear vision
Update internal processes
Build training into the culture
Evaluate AI tools regularly
Encourage experimentation and iteration
Thinking of AI as a long-term investment keeps businesses from expecting miracles—and instead helps them focus on practical, steady growth.
Dr. Kate Darling, a research scientist at MIT specializing in human-technology interaction, captures the bigger picture in a grounded way:
“Technology doesn’t shape us automatically. We shape it through the systems, expectations, and values we build around it.”
Her words remind leaders that AI isn’t something that “happens to” a business. It’s something a business learns to use intentionally.
What This Means For SMBs Navigating AI Today
For many small and medium-sized businesses, the question isn’t “Should we use generative AI?” anymore.
The question is:
“How do we use it in a way that actually helps our people and our customers?”
The Wharton report makes that path clearer than ever:
AI success depends on pairing the technology with human understanding, training, curiosity, and leadership.
If you’re running or supporting an SMB, here’s what this research suggests:
Start small, but start now.
Train your team early rather than waiting.
Build internal enthusiasm—don’t assume it will happen on its own.
Look for easy wins before complex projects.
Treat AI as a skill, not a shortcut.
These steps aren’t complicated, but they create momentum that compounds over time.
Stepping Into The Future With Confidence
The future of business is undeniably digital. But that doesn’t mean it’s cold or impersonal. In fact, the companies succeeding with AI today are the ones using it to empower people, not replace them.
Generative AI is proving to be a tool that supports creativity, improves efficiency, and opens opportunities that didn’t exist a few years ago. And as training programs expand and internal champions step up, the gap between early adopters and hesitant businesses will widen.
For SMBs especially, the takeaway is clear:
Those who learn, adapt, and experiment today will be the ones leading tomorrow. And you don’t need to be an expert. You just need to be willing to begin.
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