AI Adoption Soars Among Little Businesses, Tri Counties Bank Study Reveals
Chico, CA – February 19, 2026 – A new research study released by Tri Counties Bank indicates a significant and growing adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) among U.S. Small business owners. The study examines current trends, anticipated benefits, and emerging opportunities related to AI implementation.
Growing Interest in AI
According to the study, 83% of small business owners believe AI will have a favorable impact on their business. Currently, 73% of small businesses are utilizing AI in some capacity, with 20% reporting extensive use. An additional 14% are planning to adopt AI technologies in the future.
Key Drivers for AI Adoption
Small businesses are primarily motivated to adopt AI to achieve several key objectives, including:
- Increasing productivity
- Improving accuracy
- Automating routine tasks
- Generating reports and written materials
- Enhancing profitability
AI Applications in Back-Office Functions
The study highlights that current AI applications are most prevalent in back-office functions. Top areas of implementation include:
- Marketing and creative content creation
- Data entry
- Document management
Impact on Labor Costs
A majority of small business owners anticipate labor cost savings of 6–20% through AI implementation, primarily affecting full-time and part-time staff. The expected impact on management roles is projected to be minimal, with only 22% of owners anticipating no staff reductions as a result of AI adoption.
Tri Counties Bank’s Commitment to Small Businesses
“AI is reshaping business operations at a rapid pace. To better understand its influence on productivity, efficiency, and growth, we partnered with an independent research firm to conduct an in‑depth study on small business use of AI,” said Rick Smith, President and CEO of Tri Counties Bank. “Our goal in producing studies like this is to provide valuable insights and resources that support the continued growth and prosperity of small businesses in our communities.”
Tri Counties Bank, established in 1975, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of TriCo Bancshares (NASDAQ: TCBK) and currently holds nearly $10 billion in assets. The bank operates over 75 locations throughout California and provides advanced mobile and online banking services, as well as access to approximately 40,000 surcharge-free ATMs nationwide.
The full report is available for download on the Tri Counties Bank website.