The Surprising Ways Artificial Intelligence Is Helping Everyday People Start and Grow Businesses in North America
Starting a Business Doesn’t Look the Same Anymore
If you have ever thought, “I’d love to start a business, but I don’t have the skills or the money,” you are not alone. For years, those two things, technical know-how and cash, were the biggest barriers standing between regular people and entrepreneurship. But here is the twist: artificial intelligence is changing that story in real time.
These days, all you really need is an idea, a laptop, and access to AI tools. That is it. No expensive consultants, no giant teams, no waiting years to finally get off the ground. Analysts are calling this shift an entrepreneurial revolution. To me, it feels more like a door swinging wide open for everyday people. But like with any big opportunity, the question is: will everyone get to walk through it, or just the ones who already have an advantage?
The Proof That AI Is Lowering Barriers
The numbers are pretty wild. Gusto’s 2025 New Business Formation report found that almost half of new businesses in the United States used AI last year. The year before, only about one in five did. That is a massive jump in a short time. And here is the kicker: these founders are using AI from day one, not years later when the business is stable.
It is not just the big players, either. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce said 40 percent of small businesses were already using AI by the end of 2024. Axios reported that 36 percent were actively using it and another 21 percent were planning to get in within a year. And most of them were not paying huge fees to use it. They are leaning on free or low-cost tools that do the job just fine.
Stripe’s data shows how quickly things can move now. The top 100 AI companies reached revenue milestones faster than any SaaS firms before them. That is proof that software can be built and scaled faster than ever. Even if you are not creating a fancy AI product, those same faster cycles spill into small shops and service businesses too. In other words, the rules of the game have officially changed.
Why This Matters for People Like You and Me
Let’s be honest. Running a business is a juggling act. You have to wear a hundred hats, from marketer to accountant to customer support. For small and midsize business owners, AI is like hiring a bunch of part-time specialists who never sleep.
It can draft your product descriptions, design a logo, reconcile your expenses, answer customer emails at 2 a.m., or even turn rough notes into polished proposals. Shopify’s research showed that almost half of small businesses using AI saw productivity go up, and nearly as many said their customer experience got better.
That is huge. It means two big hurdles, skills and money, are starting to crumble. Non-technical founders can stitch together no-code tools, hosted AI platforms, and plug-ins to launch something real without having to know a single line of code. And instead of hiring a marketing team, a bookkeeper, and a support rep before the first sale, you can automate those early needs and bring people in later once you are generating revenue.
Canada’s Mixed Results
Now, here is where things get a little complicated. In Canada, the federal government ran the Canada Digital Adoption Program (CDAP), which helped over 70,000 businesses build digital strategies. Sounds great, right? The problem is that the program is no longer accepting applications, which leaves a big gap just as AI adoption is heating up.
Some provinces are stepping in. Ontario, for example, has expanded its Digital Modernization and Adoption Plan (DMAP), offering grants of up to 15,000 dollars for planning and a pathway for more funding if you need implementation help. That is great news for Ontario businesses, but not every province is offering the same support.
And then there is regulation. Canada’s proposed AI law, Bill C-27, was supposed to set the ground rules for AI use, including how to handle high-risk systems. But when Parliament was prorogued earlier this year, the bill died. So for now, businesses are stuck with an uncertain landscape where provinces and courts will have to fill the gap. Translation: if you are running a business in Canada, you need to pay close attention to privacy rules, contracts, and vendor policies because the clarity just is not there yet.
The U.S. Is Building a Playbook
Meanwhile, in the United States, the scaffolding looks a little stronger. The Small Business Administration has started releasing guides on how to use AI responsibly. Plus, they are connecting business owners with resources through the nationwide Small Business Development Center (SBDC) network.
Google.org even dropped 10 million dollars into a program called “AI-U,” which funds clinics at universities and community colleges. The goal? Reach 100,000 businesses and help them adopt AI the right way. That kind of mix, public support, private funding, and community-level education, is exactly what small businesses need to feel confident about diving in.
On the regulation side, things are heating up fast. The Stanford AI Index counted a sharp rise in U.S. federal AI actions in 2024. Expect more sector-specific rules in finance, healthcare, and employment. That means if you are running a small business, now is the time to stay informed because the rules are not slowing down.
The Internet Connection Problem Nobody Talks About
Here is the not-so-glamorous side of the story: internet access. AI may be cheap or even free, but if you do not have strong broadband, you are out of luck. The FCC says 95 percent of U.S. homes and small businesses have access to high-speed internet, but independent audits argue the gaps are bigger than the maps show.
In Canada, the target is universal 50/10 Mbps access by 2030. That is still years away, and rural areas are lagging. For small businesses outside major cities, that means a slower launch, fewer tools that actually work, and missed opportunities. It is not just about streaming movies anymore. In an AI economy, bad internet is like tying your shoes together before a race.
What Good Policy Should Look Like
If governments are serious about this revolution, here is what they need to do:
- Make AI education local. Put training and advisory clinics in smaller communities, not just in big urban hubs. Think libraries, colleges, and chambers of commerce.
- Reward real adoption. Tax credits or grants should go to measurable changes like an AI-powered invoicing system or a customer support chatbot. Forget the hype, make it practical.
- Set clear rules. Canada needs a new federal framework to replace Bill C-27. The U.S. needs to keep building out sector-specific guidance. Both should also provide easy-to-understand templates for small businesses handling contracts, privacy, and data.
Everyday Wins That Prove the Point
Want to see what this looks like in real life? Picture a contractor sending out quotes faster than ever with AI-generated proposals. A small shop owner translating their online store into four different languages and suddenly pulling in international customers. Or a local artisan who doubles sales after running AI-powered ad campaigns that cost a fraction of what agencies charge.
That is the revolution in action. It is not about flashy headlines or billion-dollar unicorns. It is about regular people getting a real shot at running successful businesses with the help of affordable, accessible tools.
Final Thoughts
Artificial intelligence is no longer just for big corporations and Silicon Valley founders. It is becoming the secret ingredient behind a new wave of entrepreneurship across North America. The tools are inexpensive, the playbooks are spreading, and the opportunities are multiplying.
The risk is not moving too quickly. The real risk is being left behind while others use AI to move faster, work smarter, and build stronger businesses. For everyday people with big ideas, AI may just be the boost that turns those ideas into reality.
