Yes, AI Has Spirit — Entrepreneurial Spirit

Ambitious entrepreneurs “get” AI

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While fears of an AI-driven job apocalypse continue to dominate headlines, it’s worth noting that a certain kind of job may thrive in the AI era. Astute entrepreneurs see AI as a vehicle that provides access to a range of resources that enable building and scaling a business very cheaply. Accounting, inventory, marketing, computing, and importantly, innovation functions – which previously required large investments – can be immediately required and put to work.

It doesn’t have to be a tech startup, either. Imagine a clothing designer launching a business surrounded by AI. “Brands can now create photorealistic digital garments without physical production,” said Jeanel Alvarado, founder and CEO of RetailBoss, a retail strategy firm.

“Dropping collections as digital-only designs, test the waters with virtual influencers – think AI-powered fashion models with millions of followers – and only produce what sells,” Alvarado explained. “Tools like Heuritech scan Instagram and TikTok 24/7 to predict trends, so brands aren’t just guessing what’s in vogue anymore. It’s like fast fashion on autopilot, but without the waste.”

Entrepreneurs are now using AI “to compete with major players, showing that small teams can achieve outsized impact,” states a recent Harvard Business Review article and survey by Jeffrey Shay, Donna Kelley, Mahdi Majbouri, and Thomas Davenport. The survey covered more than 2,300 U.S. entrepreneurs, and what they call “ambitious entrepreneurs” – those that seek to scale businesses onward and upward without hiring huge staffs – were much more favorable to AI adoption.

“Even the smallest teams can punch far above their weight when powered by AI,” the co-authors observe. “Ambitious entrepreneurs can harness AI to accelerate decision-making, unlock new markets, and streamline operations.”

At least 87% anticipate that AI will be critical to their business model and strategy in the next three years, the survey shows. They are optimistic, too – more than 90% expect positive impacts on revenue and growth, with most citing benefits such as innovative product and service development, improved productivity and efficiency, enhanced customer personalization, and better risk and compliance management.

The authors offer the following advice to entrepreneurs (or corporate leaders for that matter) seeking to leverage AI to scale their businesses:

Start with the basics. “Many start by working with companies that embed AI into tools designed for their industry,” employing applications that offer AI “to automate and predict customer engagement, scheduling, and marketing.”

Apply AI to what AI does best. AI is not a full substitute for human skill, the authors caution. “It excels in processing data, detecting patterns, and executing repetitive or rules-based tasks. Humans bring critical thinking, empathy, judgment, and adaptability – skills machines cannot replicate.”

Take a bottom-up approach. “Most entrepreneurial ventures can’t hire dedicated AI teams. But they still can lead in adoption by empowering citizen developers or vibe coders – curious, tech-savvy employees willing to experiment, even without formal AI training. These team members understand the company workflows and culture, making them ideal early adopters.”

Leverage AI as a force multiplier. “Specialized tools that can use AI to create web pages, presentations, business plans, market research, product designs, logos, and almost any other digital component small businesses need. These tools are usually inexpensive or even free. In entrepreneurial settings, this kind of accessibility is a force multiplier.”