Unlocking AI Potential in SMEs: Applications, Benefits, and Preliminary Considerations for Implementation

Worldwide, numerous small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) maintain major reservations regarding their suitability for artificial intelligence (AI). This is primarily attributable to a deficiency in understanding potential applications and associated benefits. Recognizing variations in initial conditions and prerequisites for AI applications across company sizes, we specifically elucidate the application possibilities and advantages of AI solutions with an explicit focus on SMEs. Our best-case scenario involves studying the entire process chain of a small company for possible AI applications and subsequent benefits. In this way, we counteract the common assumption among SMEs that their own business is too small to benefit from AI applications. Our study provides entrepreneurs and decision-makers with a wealth of inspiration for potential areas of application. By explicitly focusing on case studies conducted in SMEs, comparable starting conditions enable a very practical depiction of the opportunities available to these companies. The highlighted advantages in the case studies demonstrate that the theoretical potential often associated with AI applications can also be realized in practice by SMEs and thus lead to substantial competitive advantages. Furthermore, based on the case studies, we identified 13 key parameters that should be considered before an implementation of AI in SMEs. Using a morphological box, these parameters are presented clearly and concisely. This helps to prevent SMEs from overlooking critical questions and necessary decisions in advance.