Small businesses are increasingly turning to emerging technologies like generative AI and cryptocurrency to compete with larger enterprises and streamline operations. At the recent CO-100 Small Business Forum, experts from Intel and Coinbase discussed how these tools are creating new opportunities for entrepreneurs.
Byron Wirtz, Technical Sales Director at Intel, and Sid Coelho‑Prabhu, Senior Director of Product Management at Coinbase, highlighted practical ways small businesses can leverage AI and crypto in day-to-day operations. From automating marketing tasks and managing technology to reducing payment fees and reaching global customers, these innovations are helping businesses operate more efficiently.
Wirtz explained that companies such as Intel and Dell are embedding AI directly into devices like laptops, making it easier for small teams with limited IT support to implement advanced technology. Generative AI, in particular, is being used by entrepreneurs to create marketing materials, design ad campaigns, and brainstorm new offerings—significantly reducing the time and effort required.
Cryptocurrency is also gaining traction, with roughly one in five small businesses currently using it. Stablecoins like USDC, which are pegged 1:1 to the U.S. dollar and operate on the blockchain, allow instant payments anywhere in the world with minimal fees. Coelho‑Prabhu noted that these low-cost, global transactions can boost profit margins while reducing dependence on traditional banking systems.
Intel and Dell support small businesses adopting AI through free startup programs that provide workshops, mentorship, and discounts on commercial-grade hardware. These initiatives aim to help business owners use AI effectively to solve operational challenges rather than adopting it unnecessarily.
On the cryptocurrency front, Coinbase has partnered with Shopify, enabling merchants to accept crypto payments and tap into a broader, often younger, global customer base. Additionally, the company recently launched Coinbase Business, a platform designed to lower operating costs and expand digital payment capabilities for businesses.
With these AI and crypto solutions, small businesses now have more tools than ever to compete in a digital-first economy, improve efficiency, and reach customers worldwide.
