# 76% of SMB owners are automating work. The next step is making sure they're doing it safely.

DevFeed: [76% of SMB owners are automating work. The next step is making sure they're doing it safely.](<https://devfeed.tech/articles/76-of-smb-owners-are-automating-work-the-next-step-is-making-sure-they-re-doing-it-safely-60947.md>)

Original publisher: [Read original article](<https://zapier.com/blog/ai-governance-for-small-teams>)

Author: Lane Gillespie

Published: 2026-09-22T04:00:00Z

Content type: article

Language: en

Sources: [Zapier](<https://devfeed.tech/sources/zapier.md>)

Topics: [workflow automation](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/workflow-automation.md>), [The Three Main Cloud Service Models](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/the-three-main-cloud-service-models.md>)

Tags: [ai](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/ai.md>), [automation](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/automation.md>), [grow-your-business](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/grow-your-business.md>), [smbs](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/smbs.md>)

## AI overview

The article draws on a survey of more than 500 SMB owners and operators to discuss their use of automation and AI, the risks of deploying AI across business processes, and why governance matters. It says 76% of SMBs have adopted automation, including rule-based workflows and AI that can act across multiple systems with limited human input.

## Source excerpt

I don't do new hobbies halfway. Baking, sewing, whatever it is--I'll disappear into inspiration boards, overbuy supplies, and find myself fully invested in a niche I joined only four hours ago. Unfortunately, that's when I hit a wall. Turns out enthusiasm and a can-do attitude only get you so far. Many businesses are approaching AI exactly like I approach a new hobby: all enthusiasm, shaky planning. And it's happening at scale. The majority of SMBs (76%) have adopted some form of automation, ra