AI Agents Are the New Co-Founders for Small Businesses

When we think of AI, Silicon Valley giants or sci-fi movies often come to mind. However, AI is no longer a futuristic concept—it’s actively reshaping global trade and competition. According to Alibaba.com’s findings from over 20,000 submissions to its CoCreate Pitch entrepreneurship competition, over 60% of U.S. small businesses plan to adopt AI tools in 2025. This isn’t just a trend; it’s a tsunami that businesses ignore at their peril.

The Rise of Micro-Multinationals

Globalization no longer requires massive teams or decades of supply chain development. Today, a lean team with AI-powered tools can tap into global markets almost overnight. Tools like real-time translation APIs and predictive analytics dismantle barriers such as language differences, foreign market knowledge, and cross-border trust issues. This marks the era of micro-multinationals—where a two-person startup can sell products across 20 countries using AI-generated insights.

The Autonomous AI Co-Founder

The next level of this transformation is the rise of autonomous AI agents. Imagine a 24/7 co-founder that never sleeps, handling tasks like supplier sorting, deal negotiations, order processing, and logistics management. For global trade, AI agents don’t just find products—they evaluate suppliers, facilitate communication, and manage end-to-end processes. Alibaba’s Accio agent, for example, automates 70% of traditionally manual workflows for B2B buyers, compressing processes like product ideation, prototyping, compliance checks, and supplier sourcing into a seamless cycle.

Why B2B Is Leading the AI Charge

While consumers are still warming up to AI, B2B decision-makers are racing ahead for three key reasons:

1. Scale: In a $30 trillion B2B industry, AI can reduce supply chain costs by 15% through predictive maintenance—a game-changer for mid-sized manufacturers.
2. Speed: AI can shrink a request for proposal process from weeks to hours by automating vendor comparisons and contract drafting.
3. Search Transformation: Future B2B platforms will need to handle highly specific queries (e.g., “show me 3-D printed parts for aerospace that meet FAA specs”) and deliver precise results. The future of B2B search is about generative AI engine optimization, not just SEO.

Start Small, Start Now

For small business owners, adopting AI can be daunting, but the alternative is falling behind competitors. The good news? You don’t need to fully incorporate AI overnight. Start with small steps—a customer service chatbot or an AI data analysis tool—and scale up. The future belongs to those who treat AI as essential infrastructure, not a luxury.

The opinions expressed in Fortune.com commentary pieces are solely the views of their authors.

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