FAQ: Small Business AI Adoption, Economic Concerns, and Policy Views from August 2025 Survey

What is the main focus of the August 2025 Main Street Business Survey?

The survey focuses on small business owners’ adoption of AI, their economic concerns including rising costs and soft demand, and their views on policy issues and Elon Musk’s proposals.

What percentage of small business owners are not using AI in their businesses?

45% of business owners reported they are not using AI in their businesses, indicating significant room for growth in AI adoption.

What are the top concerns for small business owners according to the survey?

25% cited ‘rising costs’ as their top concern, 22% said ‘declining consumer demand,’ and 12% identified access to affordable capital as their primary issue.

How is AI currently helping businesses that have adopted it?

Among AI users, 32% say marketing and advertising is where AI helps most, followed by business operations (9.2%), customer engagement (7.9%), financial management (3.6%), and workforce management (2%).

What impact has AI had on staffing needs for businesses that use it?

26.6% of AI adopters report that AI has reduced their staffing needs, indicating a significant impact on the labor market as adoption continues.

How do small business owners view Elon Musk’s proposals and the Department of Government Efficiency?

91% agree with Musk on balancing the federal budget, but only 34% support his opposition to raising the debt ceiling, and by 3 to 1, they believe his third party plans would be bad for America’s economic future; 38.3% rate DOGE’s performance as excellent and 37.6% as good.

What is the overall economic outlook from small business leaders according to the survey?

Business leaders see signs of an economy reemerging from a tough period, with small businesses moving from defense into cautious growth and making investments, though persistent high costs and policy uncertainty slow decisions.

Where can readers find the full survey results?

The full results are available at https://www.jobs.redballoon.work/freedomeconomy/aug25-report.