(BPT) - By Eric Yu
Eric Yu leads global SMB business strategy within Lenovo Intelligent Devices Group, overseeing Lenovo's Commercial Product Center, Workstation and Client AI businesses. He leverages his AI expertise to translate business needs into effective product design and management, driving exponential growth.
As Small Business Saturday approaches, entrepreneurs across the country are preparing for one of the busiest times of the year. For many, this season also sparks reflection: opportunities for growth, resilience and how technology can help. Amid the rapid rise of AI, small business owners are asking a common question: When will there be one AI solution that can streamline it all?
It's an understandable wish. Imagine a single digital assistant that manages inventory, sends follow-up emails, predicts demand and orders your next shipment automatically. The truth is, that kind of "do-it-all" AI agent doesn't exist yet. And that's perfectly OK, because the path to that future is already being built, piece by piece, through powerful and practical AI tools that small businesses can use today.
At Lenovo, we're seeing firsthand how AI-powered innovation in hardware and services is helping small and midsized businesses (SMBs) make measurable progress toward greater efficiency and autonomy. In fact, recent launches from Lenovo's ThinkBook and ThinkPad lines feature on-device AI accelerators, enhanced manageability and modular accessories that help bridge the gap between human potential and machine intelligence. These aren't futuristic ideas, they're here today, helping SMBs reclaim time, streamline decisions and stay focused on what matters most.
Putting Today's AI Tools to Work
1. Adopt AI PCs to streamline daily tasks
Modern AI PCs are redefining productivity by embedding dedicated AI processors directly into the device. These on-chip accelerators allow for local, lightning-fast handling of tasks such as smart email summarization, meeting transcription, better power efficiency and predictive text suggestions.
For small business owners managing multiple priorities, those small efficiencies add up. Shaving just a few minutes off repetitive tasks - especially during peak shopping seasons - can translate into hours reclaimed for strategic work or customer engagement.
And adoption is already ramping up. According to ITPro, AI PCs are expected to account for 31% of all computer shipments in 2025 - a 16% increase from 2024 - a clear sign that businesses are embracing systems built for AI-native workflows. These devices don't just perform faster; they help process data more securely, right on the device, giving SMBs peace of mind as they modernize their operations.
2. Enhance efficiency with modular AI-driven accessories
While many small businesses are still adapting their systems for AI integration, emerging technologies point to a future where intelligent add-ons further enhance embedded AI capabilities.
Modular, scalable accessories that optimize workflows will help offload multitasking clutter, as well as help teams stay focused and present during high-pressure scenarios. As these innovations continue to mature, they may offer small and midsize businesses a practical way to embed intelligent automation into daily operations, improving accessibility and implementing a tech-forward approach to ensure long-term success.
3. Link AI agents together for smarter workflows
While many AI tools today function independently, small businesses can get creative by linking them together for more powerful results. For example, an AI assistant that identifies a customer inquiry in an email could automatically create a follow-up task - or even draft a personalized response for review.
And the trend is accelerating. IBM's 2025 study projected that AI-enabled workflows would rise from just 3% at the start of the year to roughly 25% by year's end as more leaders discover how these linked systems can save time, reduce human error and improve customer satisfaction.
The takeaway: You don't have to wait for an "ultimate" AI assistant to achieve intelligent automation. By experimenting with small connections between existing tools, SMBs can build custom ecosystems that evolve alongside their needs.
Looking Ahead: The Future Is Modular, Not Monolithic
The dream of a single, all-knowing AI app will likely become reality someday, but it won't happen overnight. The next few years will be defined by modular, interoperable AI systems that adapt to how people actually work.
At Lenovo, our AI-powered innovations are designed to bring that future closer. Each advancement gives small businesses a stepping stone toward autonomy and intelligence, without requiring them to overhaul everything at once.
This Small Business Saturday, as entrepreneurs reflect on how far they've come, it's worth remembering that AI doesn't have to be an all-or-nothing leap. The businesses that start integrating intelligent tools now, especially during high-volume, high-stakes moments like the holiday rush, will be the ones best prepared for the AI-powered future ahead.
Because in the end, building toward an AI-powered future isn't about waiting for the perfect solution. It's about taking the next smart step today.
