Small Businesses in California Turning to AI and Crypto to Compete

On today’s Desert Living, a new report from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce highlights a quiet but significant transformation happening on Main Street. Small businesses are rapidly adopting advanced technologies, particularly artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency, to drive growth and efficiency.

Jordan Crenshaw, Senior Vice President at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Technology Engagement Center, said nearly 60 percent of small businesses nationwide now use generative AI tools like ChatGPT and Google Gemini. In California, about a third of small businesses are also integrating cryptocurrency into their operations.

Local businesses are finding practical applications for these tools. At an event with the Rancho Mirage Chamber of Commerce, Crenshaw met the co-founder of Just Us Skin Care, who is using AI to design products and source materials. “It’s really helping provide great resources for smaller businesses,” Crenshaw explained.

AI is proving to be a “force multiplier” for small companies with limited resources. Business owners report using it to streamline marketing, design, and compliance tasks, with 82 percent of users saying it has boosted their growth and hiring. On the crypto side, Crenshaw said small businesses are more likely to adopt digital assets when regulations are clear.

But challenges remain. Crenshaw cautioned that a patchwork of state-level regulations, particularly in California, could create costly compliance burdens. “Small business owners don’t have the resources to comply with complex regulations as opposed to their larger counterparts,” he said, emphasizing the need for a consistent national framework.

He encouraged entrepreneurs to experiment with these technologies now, pointing to resources like the U.S. Chamber’s partner Co and local chambers across California that provide training and support.

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