2026-10-16 · StrategyAll businesses
Most small businesses use AI. Few feel confident with it.
Bluehost's 2026 study of 350 U.S. small business owners found 87% use at least one AI tool, but only 20% describe themselves as highly confident. 30% name lack of AI knowledge as the main barrier, 27% say tools aren't specific to their type of business, and only 5% call cost their biggest concern.
So what for your business: Your edge isn't buying more tools. It's learning to use one tool well on one real task.
Source: Bluehost, State of Small Business AI Confidence 2026