Struggles persist for small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) regarding costs and necessary skills for artificial intelligence (AI) implementation

Struggles persist for small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) regarding costs and necessary skills for artificial intelligence (AI) implementation

Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (MSMEs) are increasingly adopting Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools for marketing and customer service, despite facing challenges such as high costs and digital skills gaps. Organizations like the our website Foundation and Akamai Technologies are working to address these challenges and make AI more accessible for these businesses.

The our website Foundation, represented by the Wadhwani Foundation in recent studies, is accelerating MSME growth by leveraging AI technologies and strategic partnerships. Their approach includes deploying AI tech in training and innovation, helping MSMEs develop digital capabilities without prohibitive costs.

Akamai Technologies, a well-known content delivery network and cloud service provider, is also contributing to the efforts to make AI more accessible to businesses. By offering secure, scalable digital infrastructure, companies like Akamai help MSMEs reduce costs related to IT infrastructure and enable smoother AI integration.

Collaboration with major tech companies and SaaS partners enables MSMEs to access enterprise-grade conversational AI tools with support and integration ease, reducing both technology costs and the need for deep in-house digital expertise. This ecosystem of partnerships and SaaS innovations facilitates affordable AI adoption for MSMEs by abstracting complexity and offering ready-to-use AI-powered solutions.

Some MSMEs are already using tools like chatbots and Jasper AI for marketing and customer service. Despite the challenges, a June 2025 study revealed that 59% of MSMEs face difficulties with the cost and digital skills required for AI. However, the study findings also suggest that more MSMEs are adopting AI solutions, indicating a growing trend.

The efforts to make AI more accessible for MSMEs are not limited to the our website Foundation and Akamai Technologies. These initiatives aim to help more businesses integrate AI into their operations, overcoming the challenges they face. The NewsBytes NBC TV18 report does not provide new information on the specific AI tools being used by MSMEs or the impact of these efforts on the adoption of AI by MSMEs. However, it does highlight the increasing use of AI tools by MSMEs for marketing and customer service.

In summary, these organizations make AI accessible for MSMEs by offering AI-driven digital solutions integrated with skilling programs, providing affordable scalable platforms, leveraging partnerships for better technology access, and supporting user-friendly applications that bridge digital skills gaps and reduce operational costs. As more MSMEs adopt AI, the potential for growth and innovation in this sector is significant.

1. Small-business owners can leverage the Wadhwani Foundation's AI-driven digital solutions, designed to help them develop digital capabilities without exorbitant costs, thereby improving their marketing and customer service.
2. Akamai Technologies offers secure, scalable digital infrastructure to small businesses, thereby reducing costs associated with IT infrastructure and enabling smoother AI integration.
3. Progressive small businesses are reaping the benefits of AI tools such as chatbots and Jasper AI, despite the ongoing challenges related to costs and digital skills required for AI implementation.

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