AI in SMEs: Hype vs. What Actually Works

Every week someone asks me: "Can't we add AI to that?" Usually the answer is: Yes, but you probably don't need it.

The Pattern

A company has a problem — for example: "Our sales data is in 5 different Excel spreadsheets." The solution isn't a GPT chatbot. The solution is a proper dashboard.

AI is a tool, not a silver bullet. And like any tool: First understand the problem, then choose the right tool.

Where AI Actually Helps in SMEs

Text recognition: Automatically reading invoices, delivery notes, forms. Saves real hours per week.

Anomaly detection: Monitoring machine sensor data and flagging deviations before something breaks.

Forecasting: Sales predictions based on historical data. Works well when enough data is available (spoiler: usually not).

Where AI Doesn't Help (Yet)

"We want a chatbot for our 200 customers." With 200 customers, your sales team knows everyone by name. A chatbot is a downgrade here.

"AI should optimize our processes." If processes aren't documented, no AI can optimize them. First digitize, then optimize.

My Advice

Before investing in AI: Do you have your data under control? Are your processes digital? Is there a clear, measurable problem? If yes — let's talk. If no — let's start there. It saves money and delivers results faster.