NYCEDC reported 183,000+ small businesses in NYC as of 2023 — a record-breaking number. And according to the SMB AI Survey, 58% of small businesses now use generative AI, up from 40% in 2024.
The gap between AI adopters and non-adopters is widening fast. AI-using SMBs report 91% revenue increases, $7,500 median annual savings, and 340% year-one ROI. Non-adopters are competing with one hand tied behind their back.
What 'Using AI' Actually Means
It doesn't mean every business has a custom AI agent. It means they're using AI tools — ChatGPT for copywriting, Zapier AI for workflows, HubSpot AI for lead scoring, or custom agents for the highest-ROI tasks.
How to Start (Without a Big Budget)
Our Starter tier is $297/mo + $2,500 setup. That gets you one custom AI agent deployed in 7-14 days. Most businesses see ROI within 4 months. Book a free NYC AI Audit to find out which automation to start with.