AI to Drive 50% of Business Decisions by 2027; SMBs Struggle with Skills and Adoption

Gartner predicts that by 2027, artificial intelligence (AI) will be responsible for half of all business decisions, either through full automation or partial augmentation. This shift is driven by the increasing pressure on technology companies to deliver returns on their AI investments, with small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) rapidly adopting these tools. However, a significant skills gap remains, as 95% of SMBs report needing more training to effectively utilize AI. The report emphasizes the importance of human oversight to ensure data quality and governance, suggesting that companies prioritizing AI literacy training could see revenue increases of up to 20%.Despite the enthusiasm for AI, a study from Stanford University reveals that professionals prefer using AI for automating mundane tasks rather than more complex responsibilities. The research indicates a strong desire for human control in the workplace, highlighting a disconnect between the tasks companies assign to AI and what workers actually want to automate. This gap presents an opportunity for managed service providers (MSPs) to bridge the divide by focusing on human-centered workflow design and aligning AI deployment with employee expectations.In the realm of productivity tools, OpenAI and Anthropic are making strides with new integrations that enhance user interaction with AI. OpenAI is testing a feature that allows users to analyze emails and manage schedules through ChatGPT, while Anthropic's CLAWD code has improved its toolchain for developers. These advancements signify a shift in how end users will expect to interact with their tools, pushing providers to adapt their roles from managing infrastructure to managing intelligence and intent.Broadcom's recent changes to VMware's licensing model have raised concerns among smaller customers, with reports of cost increases significantly impacting their budgets. While Broadcom claims that many of its top customers are adopting the VMware Cloud Foundation, the dissatisfaction among smaller clients indicates a need for IT providers to offer migration services and alternative solutions. The current landscape presents a critical moment for providers to assist clients in navigating these changes, ensuring they find resilient and appropriately priced platforms that meet their needs. Four things to know today 00:00 From Hype to Help: AI Decision-Making Surges, But Poor Guidance Risks Undermining Gains05:23 OpenAI and Anthropic Expand AI Agents Into Daily Workflow—IT Providers Must Now Govern Behavior, Not Just Systems07:44 Efficiency Is the New MSP Battleground: Martello and WatchGuard Highlight Operational ROI10:35 Broadcom’s VMware Pivot Forces MSPs to Choose Sides: Enterprise Loyalty or SMB Exodus This is the Business of Tech.    Supported by: https://www.huntress.com/mspradio/https://getflexpoint.com/msp-radio/ 💼 All Our SponsorsMSP Radio is supported by our partners: ABC Solutions · CometBackup · Guardz · HaloPSA · LogMeIn · OpenText · Pax8 · Proofpoint · Rythmz · ScalePad · TimeZest · Transit AI · USecureSupporting the IT services community through insights, analysis, and transparency. 🚀 Join Business of Tech PlusGet exclusive access to investigative reports, vendor analysis, leadership briefings, and more.👉 https://businessof.tech/plus 🎧 Subscribe to the Business of TechWant the show on your favorite podcast app or prefer the written versions of each story?📲 https://www.businessof.tech/subscribe 📰 Story Links & SourcesLooking for the links from today’s stories?Every episode script — with full source links — is posted at:🌐 https://www.businessof.tech 🎙 Want to Be a Guest?Pitch your story or appear on Business of Tech: Daily 10-Minute IT Services Insights:💬 https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/businessoftech 🔗 Follow Business of Tech LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/28908079YouTube: https://youtube.com/mspradioBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/businessof.techInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/mspradioTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@businessoftechFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/mspradionews Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.