Dr. Fakunle Aremu, a Senior Agribusiness and Policy Advisor, has advised small and medium-sized businesses to use Artificial Intelligence (AI) in ways that bring profit and keep them competitive in today’s fast-changing business world.
Aremu, who works in agricultural value chain development and food systems, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that AI is no longer just for big companies. He said it can now be used by smaller businesses in simple and practical ways.
He explained that many small businesses think they cannot use AI because they lack technical skills or a big budget.
“Small businesses don’t have to be tech experts or spend huge amounts of money to start using AI,” Aremu said.
He added that instead of hiring costly data scientists, small businesses can use affordable tools like Google Cloud or Microsoft Power BI, or hire freelance experts when needed.
According to him, the cost of developing AI can be reduced by starting with small, cloud-based tools that allow payment in monthly or pay-as-you-go plans, while focusing on results that give clear business benefits.
He also advised that businesses should first organize and digitize their data, because clean and well-structured data is important for AI to give accurate results.
“AI depends on data, and for many small businesses, this data can be messy if not managed properly,” he said.
Aremu pointed out that some employees may fear AI will take their jobs. He encouraged business owners to explain clearly and early that AI is meant to make work easier, not to replace workers.
He gave an example, saying a retail business could increase its orders by 15% simply by using AI to send personalized product offers to customers.
Aremu advised businesses to start with a small project, set clear goals, and measure the results. This way, they can use what they already have and begin without waiting to be perfect.
“I suggest starting small but thinking big. This helps reduce risk, build confidence, and give teams the experience to integrate AI into their work,” he said.
