Using Gen AI to Drive Smarter Business Decisions 

The use of AI tools in daily business operations has increased dramatically over the past year. Independent workers in particular are using Gen AI to help boost productivity and improve the contractor-client experience. In the past year, the use of Gen AI doubled among independent workers, with 65% reporting using it in their work, according to our latest research. 

Much of this surge is due to the fact that Gen AI tools are accessible and user-friendly. The vast majority—80%—of independents say they have advanced or intermediate usage skill level with Gen AI. And most say AI tools complement their work, rather than replace the services they offer. Below, we explore how to get started with AI tools, practical applications of AI for your business, and how to make data-driven decisions using AI.   

How to Get Started with AI for Business Analysis 

If you’re new to AI, don’t worry there are many basic tools and user-friendly platforms available that don’t require a lot of technical expertise. Start by pinpointing one business goal you want AI to help you out with—maybe it’s optimizing your pricing, looking into new market trends, or learning more about what other needs your clients may have.  

Then, start with a basic AI tool such as ChatGPT, Claude, or Browse AI to see how it can help you achieve your goals. As you get more comfortable using these tools, expand out to more specific ones such as Canva Magic Studio to design visual content, HappyFox for help desk automation, or Asana AI for project management. Along the way, remember that whatever AI tool you choose to use should complement your decision-making processes, not replace them entirely.  

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Practical Applications of AI for Daily Operations 

AI tools exist for virtually any part of your business you can think of. Which ones you will use just depends on where you think you need the most help. A few categories to consider include market research, trend analysis, client feedback, processing insights, financial forecasting, budget optimization, and competitor analysis.    

Think about your day from start to finish. What are the most time-consuming tasks that you don’t enjoy doing? Try out an AI tool to see if it can help you move through those specific tasks faster and easier.   

• If you get stuck writing social media posts, project proposals, or even emails to clients, ChatGPT or Claude can give you helpful ideas or outlines to work from.  

• If your business is heavily customer-service-based, try setting up an AI chatbot to handle basic inquiries when you are unavailable.  

• If finances are your weak point, check out Quickbooks AI for bookkeeping, Ramp AI for expense management, or FreshBooks for automated billing.  

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Making Data-Driven Decisions Using AI Tools 

One of the most useful ways to incorporate AI tools into your business is through the use of data. So long as you have some sort of data set to work with—sales records, customer email interactions, financial transactions, etc.—you can connect that data to an AI platform to help you analyze it. For example, Microsoft Copilot can look at sales spreadsheets to give insight as to which services or products are most profitable during certain times of the year. Obviously, AI is a tool that can predict which of your clients are most likely to make repeat purchases. Other tools can scan through customer reviews, social media comments, and emails to let you know common themes and patterns.    

Treat the AI tool you are using like a consultant. Start by asking a specific business question such as, “When should I launch my new service offering?” or “Which social media channel is giving me the best ROI?” Then, support your question with your existing data, and ask follow-up questions to help inform a conclusion.    

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AI tools are changing how independent contractors make strategic business decisions. From analyzing market trends and customer behavior to optimizing pricing and operations, AI tools can help you work faster and smarter so you can stay competitive in today’s market.