How to Use Generative AI in Your SME

Start small, stay strategic, and focus on impact.

Generative AI (GenAI) is one of the most powerful digital tools available to businesses today and it’s no longer just for big tech firms or data scientists. If you run an SME, GenAI can help you save time, improve output, and free up your team to focus on what matters most.

But where do you begin?

First: What is Generative AI?

Generative AI refers to systems that can create new content such as text, images, video, or code based on the data they’ve been trained on. Tools like ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Midjourney are examples. These platforms don’t just copy and paste they create new responses, suggestions, and ideas tailored to your prompts.

Used wisely, they can transform how SMEs operate.

Why It Matters for SMEs

According to a 2024 report by the UK’s Department for Business and Trade, SMEs using GenAI tools saw up to a 20% increase in productivity particularly in admin-heavy, creative, and customer-facing roles. And because most GenAI tools are cloud-based and low-cost (or free to trial), the barriers to entry are minimal.

5 Practical Ways to Use GenAI in Your SME:

1. Content Creation & Marketing: Struggling to keep up with blog posts, newsletters, or social media content? GenAI tools like ChatGPT can help draft copy, generate ideas, or repurpose existing content for different channels. This doesn’t replace human creativity but it can give your team a serious head start.

2. Customer Communication: Use GenAI to draft email responses, automate common enquiries, or create FAQ pages. AI-generated replies can be reviewed and personalised by a real team member, saving hours while still maintaining a human touch.

3. Admin and Documentation: From writing policy drafts to summarising meeting notes, GenAI can reduce the time you spend on repetitive admin tasks. Tools like Otter.ai or Claude can transcribe and summarise meetings, while others can help draft contracts or proposals.

4. Staff Training and SOPs: Need to create onboarding documents, safety guidelines, or training content? GenAI can help you structure, simplify, and standardise information, making your internal processes more consistent and scalable.

5. Idea Generation and Brainstorming: Use GenAI as a creative collaborator. Whether you're naming a new product, mapping out a campaign, or testing customer personas, tools like ChatGPT can help you explore angles faster, especially if you’re short on time or people.

How to Get Started Safely:

• Start with one use case where AI can save time or reduce repetition.

• Review and edit everything, don’t blindly trust AI outputs.

• Stay transparent with your team and customers about when AI is used.

• Train your staff to use GenAI tools responsibly and ethically.

GenAI isn’t a trend, it’s a shift in how work gets done. For SMEs, it offers a real opportunity to compete more efficiently, serve customers better, and reduce pressure on already stretched teams.

At the Business of AI Club, we help SMEs learn how to use GenAI tools safely, strategically, and confidently whether you're starting from scratch or looking to scale your efforts.

Want to find out what GenAI could do for your business? Get in touch: training@businessofai.club