Small and medium businesses (SMBs) are a key element of local economies. As the UAE and the wider Middle East become a centre for digital transformation, SMBs should incorporate modern technologies for competence and growth. However, the current conditions bring challenges, making it difficult to achieve sustainable development. There are growing consumer demands, hiring difficulties, cybersecurity threats and economic instability.
Fortunately, digital transformation brings along solutions to these. In the UAE, the government is actively developing AI technologies as one of its core elements for long-term strategy. An example is the UAE National AI Strategy 2031. Although certain SMBs may doubt the relevance of AI, it is high time they learn how to utilise it.
Using AI in daily operations
Many SMBs understand the benefits of AI but struggle to leverage it at scale. There are limitations in terms of budget, IT resources, and cybersecurity. Unlike larger enterprises, they do not usually allocate separate teams for evaluation, implementation and maintenance of new technologies. This is where AI PCs come in.
In contrast to conventional computers, AI PCs feature NPUs that handle AI workloads and perform operations on-device without connecting online. This reduces latency and increases the security of sensitive information. Most importantly, AI PCs empower businesses to equip employees with daily AI tools.
A survey revealed that approximately 88 percent of organisations use AI in at least one business function. Companies have embedded AI into their day-to-day tasks, which offer analytics and decision-support systems. These AI-powered tools enable employees to save time and focus more on strategic planning. The consequent boost in productivity is crucial for SMBs, as each employee often juggles multiple responsibilities.
Creating a more resilient business
Improving productivity is just one side of the issue. Cyber threats continue to evolve, making SMBs more vulnerable than larger businesses as they lack the necessary security resources. Reports state that 43 percent of cyber-attacks targeted SMBs, with 96 percent of them being victims of ransomware. With AI, it is now possible to recognise unusual behaviour, perform routine maintenance and troubleshoot problems that might escalate in the future. When combined with enterprise-grade hardware security, AI PCs create another layer of protection without complicating the operational processes. This way, SMBs can maintain their business continuity and avoid overloading small IT teams and other providers.
Supporting SMB growth
Entering new markets brings more difficulties for business operations, but AI PCs can help in simplifying them. Collaborative AI-powered tools help to communicate better, automate administrative processes and make decisions quicker and more rational.
A new report put forward that 67 percent of executives from SMBs cite survival and expansion as their main challenge. This is likely because of economic uncertainty, high inflation and pressure on supply chains. Many choose to invest in technologies that can help them become more efficient and competitive before expanding. Thus, using AI PCs is one way SMBs can create a solid foundation for future growth.
Getting ready for the future
Technology alone does not make a business successful. However, the right choice helps in adapting to changes faster. The ASUS Future of SMB Report revealed that 68 percent of early AI adopters saw improvement in productivity and operational efficiency.
As AI capabilities develop, companies with AI-ready devices will be able to adopt new applications more quickly than their competitors. This is not because AI solves all issues but because it removes the bottlenecks that slow business down. SMBs that recognise this shift today will be better positioned to embrace growth and compete in the AI-driven world.
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