Report by Pax8
Q3 2026 Pax8 SMB AI Pulse Report
Key Findings
36% of US small businesses that have built AI solutions have formal, documented review of their internally built AI.
30% to 35% of small businesses cite data security or privacy exposure as the top-cited risk of employee-built AI.
70% of small businesses would pay at least 6% more for greater control over how their data is stored and used.
35% of AI-engaged small businesses discovered AI tools, workflows, or agents operating without official approval in the past six months.
23% of small businesses in the United Kingdom have formal, documented review of internally built AI.
45% of small businesses in Sweden have formal, documented review of internally built AI.
41% of US small businesses that have built AI solutions rely on consistent but undocumented review of that AI.