business
Why millions of small businesses are finally turning to AI, and where they're starting
Summary by The El Paso Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by Stacker , KVIA ABC-7
· July 21, 2026
· 6 min read
The U.S. is home to more than 36 million small businesses, the Small Business Administration reported in 2025. And, of all employer firms in the U.S. in 2022, Census data shows 79% had fewer than 10 employees . Nearly half (42%) of small business owners say they have experienced burnout in the pa...
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Summary created by The El Paso Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed Original reporting Stacker, KVIA ABC-7 Original story Read at the source Source published Jul 21, 2026 Indexed here Jul 21, 2026 AI assistance Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text Prepublication human review No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples
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Key takeaway is home to more than 36 million small businesses, the Small Business Administration reported in 2025.
Why this matters in The El Paso
In El Paso, where small businesses are the backbone of the local economy, the adoption of AI could be a game-changer. With many of these businesses operating with fewer than 10 employees, the burden of multitasking and context switching can be overwhelming. The fact that 42% of small business owners nationwide have experienced burnout in the past month is likely reflected in El Paso's own business community. As AI becomes more accessible, local small businesses may find that it helps them streamline operations, manage customer interactions, and make data-driven decisions. This could be particularly beneficial for El Paso's entrepreneurs, who often wear multiple hats and juggle numerous responsibilities. By leveraging AI, they may be able to reduce the "toggle tax" and free up more time to focus on growth and innovation, ultimately contributing to the city's economic vitality.
About this story
Original reporting by KVIA ABC-7 . The El Paso surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KVIA ABC-7 . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: business ·
Published: July 21, 2026 ·
Source: KVIA ABC-7 ·
Reading time: 6 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? The U.S. is home to more than 36 million small businesses, the Small Business Administration reported in 2025. And, of all employer firms in the U.S. in 2022, Census data shows 79% had fewer than 10 employees . Nearly half (42%) of small business owners say they have experienced burnout in the pa...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 21, 2026 by KVIA ABC-7 and curated for The El Paso readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Stacker at KVIA ABC-7. To learn more about how The El Paso selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more business coverage from The El Paso, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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