National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) Releases 2025 Small Business and Technology Survey

Introduction

WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 25, 2025) – The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) has published its 2025 Small Business and Technology Survey, offering comprehensive insights into the adoption and impact of technology among small businesses across the United States. This nationwide survey focuses on small employers—businesses with at least one employee—and examines their use of new technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), as well as their digital presence through websites.

Emphasis on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The survey’s findings align with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly:

1. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – by highlighting how technology adoption enhances productivity and competitiveness of small businesses.
2. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure – through the focus on innovation and the integration of advanced technologies such as AI.
3. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – by addressing the challenges small businesses face in accessing and implementing new technologies, which can affect their growth and market position.

Key Findings

Familiarity, Use, and Importance of New AI Technologies

• Approximately 24% of small employers currently use AI technologies (e.g., ChatGPT, Copilot, Grammarly, Canva, Lumen5) in their business operations, while 76% have not yet adopted AI. Adoption rates vary by company size, from 21% among firms with fewer than 10 employees to 48% among firms with 50 or more employees.
• Sixty-three percent of small employers anticipate AI technologies will be important in their industry within the next five years, with 12% considering it extremely important, 21% moderately important, and 30% mildly important.
• Applications of AI include:
  • 29% for communications (email, memos, documents)
  • 27% for marketing or advertising
  • 14% for business or predictive analysis
  • 9% for customer service
  • 4% each for accounting, process automation, and cybersecurity/fraud detection
• Nearly all (98%) small employers using AI reported no change in employee numbers, indicating AI adoption is not currently linked to workforce reductions.

Use of New or Significantly Improved Technology

• Over half (57%) of small employers have introduced new or significantly improved technologies (software, equipment, etc.) within the past two years, with adoption rates ranging from 51% for firms with fewer than 10 employees to 75% for firms with 50 or more employees.
• Regarding competitive positioning:
  • 65% reported that new technology helped them stay competitive
  • 14% indicated it allowed them to catch up to competitors
  • 11% stated it put them ahead of the competition
• Nearly half (48%) of small employers perceive no technological advantage over their primary competitors, while 22% believe they have an advantage and 10% a disadvantage.

Website Usage and Operations

• Overall, 82% of small employers maintain their own website:
  • 75% of businesses with 1–9 employees
  • 90% of businesses with 10–24 employees
  • 96% of businesses with 25–49 employees
  • 97% of businesses with 50 or more employees
• Among those with websites, 19% accept payments online, while 81% do not.

Implications for Sustainable Development

The survey underscores the critical role of technology adoption in fostering sustainable economic growth and innovation among small businesses, directly supporting SDG 8 and SDG 9. Encouraging wider access to and use of AI and other advanced technologies can help reduce inequalities (SDG 10) by enabling small businesses to compete effectively in evolving markets.

Methodology

The survey was conducted via email from March 6 to March 31, 2025, targeting a random sample of 20,000 small business owners from NFIB’s membership database. A total of 521 respondents completed the survey, representing diverse industries including services (21%), retail (16%), construction (16%), and manufacturing (14%).

Access to Full Report

For detailed insights and data, the full Small Business and Technology Survey is available for download.

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
   • The article discusses small businesses’ adoption of technology and AI to improve competitiveness and productivity, which aligns with promoting sustained economic growth and productive employment.
2. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
   • The focus on technology adoption, innovation through AI, and improving business operations directly connects to fostering innovation and building resilient infrastructure.
3. SDG 4: Quality Education
   • Implied through the need for small business owners to understand and implement new technologies, which requires skills development and learning.
4. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • The article highlights disparities in technology adoption between smaller and larger small businesses, pointing to inequality issues in access to technology.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified

1. SDG 8 Targets
   • Target 8.2: Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading, and innovation.
   • Target 8.3: Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities and entrepreneurship, including small businesses.
2. SDG 9 Targets
   • Target 9.5: Enhance scientific research, upgrade technological capabilities of industrial sectors, especially in developing countries.
   • Target 9.3: Increase the access of small-scale industrial and other enterprises to financial services and integration into value chains and markets.
3. SDG 4 Targets
   • Target 4.4: Increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment and entrepreneurship.
4. SDG 10 Targets
   • Target 10.2: Empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of size or capacity.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. Indicator for SDG 8
   • Proportion of small businesses adopting new or significantly improved technologies (57% introduced new technology in last two years).
   • Percentage of small businesses using AI technologies (24% currently use AI).
   • Impact of technology adoption on business competitiveness (65% reported staying competitive due to new technology).
2. Indicator for SDG 9
   • Percentage of small businesses with websites (82%).
   • Use of AI in various business functions such as communications, marketing, business analysis, customer service, etc.
   • Variation in technology adoption by company size (21% uptake in smallest firms vs. 48% in firms with 50+ employees).
3. Indicator for SDG 4
   • Level of familiarity and planned use of AI technologies indicating skills and knowledge acquisition among small business owners.
4. Indicator for SDG 10
   • Differences in technology adoption rates and website usage among small businesses of different sizes highlight inequality in access.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets and Indicators

Source: nfib.com