Artificial intelligence (AI) has long been a topic of discussion in the business sector, and its potential in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) has been a subject of interest. However, a recent survey conducted by Microsoft reveals that only 21% of local SMEs in Puerto Rico have made progress in implementing AI as a business tool in 2023.
The survey titled ‘AI in micro, small and medium enterprises: trends, challenges and opportunities’ focused on 100 Puerto Rican SMEs, defined as companies with 250 or fewer employees. The goal was to understand the current state of AI adoption and usage in these companies, identify the drivers and challenges behind their implementation, and analyze the impact of AI on various aspects such as productivity, efficiency, cybersecurity, and professional training.
Despite the relatively low percentage of SMEs that have actually implemented AI, the survey found that 32% of companies consider AI a priority for their operations. This number significantly increases to 59% among digital native companies, which are businesses that have primarily existed in the digital world or in the cloud.
Furthermore, regardless of the industry they belong to, 61% of companies perceive AI’s impact on productivity to be positive. This highlights the growing recognition of AI’s potential in enhancing business performance and efficiency.
Ineke Geesink, the director of small and medium enterprises in Central America and the Caribbean at Microsoft, expressed particular interest in Puerto Rico’s enthusiasm for implementing AI in their day-to-day business operations. She believes that SMEs in Puerto Rico have the opportunity to excel in areas such as business performance and productivity through the integration of AI solutions.
While the survey sheds light on the current state of AI adoption in Puerto Rican SMEs, it also opens up a range of questions. Below are some frequently asked questions related to the survey findings:
FAQ
1. What is the definition of artificial intelligence?
Artificial intelligence refers to the simulation of human intelligence in machines, enabling them to learn, reason, and make decisions autonomously.
2. What does SME stand for?
SME stands for small and medium-sized enterprises, which are businesses with a limited number of employees and financial resources.
3. How many companies were surveyed in the Microsoft survey?
The survey conducted by Microsoft focused on 100 Puerto Rican SMEs.
4. What is the perception of companies towards the impact of AI on productivity?
According to the survey, 61% of companies believe that AI has a positive impact on productivity.
5. What is the significance of digital native companies in AI adoption?
Digital native companies, which primarily exist in the digital world or in the cloud, show a higher priority and interest in implementing AI as compared to traditional businesses.
Source: [Microsoft](https://www.microsoft.com/)
FAQ
1. What is the definition of artificial intelligence?
Artificial intelligence refers to the simulation of human intelligence in machines, enabling them to learn, reason, and make decisions autonomously.
2. What does SME stand for?
SME stands for small and medium-sized enterprises, which are businesses with a limited number of employees and financial resources.
3. How many companies were surveyed in the Microsoft survey?
The survey conducted by Microsoft focused on 100 Puerto Rican SMEs.
4. What is the perception of companies towards the impact of AI on productivity?
According to the survey, 61% of companies believe that AI has a positive impact on productivity.
5. What is the significance of digital native companies in AI adoption?
Digital native companies, which primarily exist in the digital world or in the cloud, show a higher priority and interest in implementing AI as compared to traditional businesses.
For more information on artificial intelligence, visit the official website of Microsoft: Microsoft