Artificial intelligence use among U.S. businesses continues to grow, with larger companies and firms in information and finance leading the way.
Nearly 20% of U.S. businesses reported using artificial intelligence in early May, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s Business Trends and Outlook Survey. The survey found that AI use varied widely depending on company size and industry.
“Use of artificial intelligence by U.S. businesses has grown since December but varied by firm size and sector,” Census Bureau researchers Adam Grundy, Cory Breaux and Dhanapati Khatiwoda wrote in a May 26 report.
The Census Bureau reviewed survey data collected from Dec. 14, 2025, through May 3. During that period, overall AI use ranged from 17% to 20%, while 20% to 23% of businesses said they expected to use AI within the next six months.
Company size played a significant role in adoption.
As of May 3, 37% of businesses with at least 250 employees reported using AI, while 32% of businesses with 100 to 249 employees were using the technology. AI use increased among businesses with at least 20 employees but did not change significantly among those with fewer than 20 employees.
More recent Census data analyzed by the Federal Reserve showed that the gap persisted into June. As of June 14, 38.5% of businesses with at least 250 employees were using AI, compared with 19.8% of businesses with one to four employees.
The Census Bureau data also show substantial differences among industries.
The information sector had the highest rate among the industries highlighted in the report, with 39.7% of businesses reporting AI use as of May 3. Finance and insurance businesses followed at 33.9%, compared with a national rate of 19.8%.
Retail businesses were less likely to use the technology. About 14% reported using AI, while about 17% expected to use it within six months.
The impact of AI may be particularly important for small businesses, which account for nearly all U.S. companies.
The U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy reported in February that the United States had more than 36.2 million small businesses, representing 99.9% of all businesses. Those companies employ 62.3 million people, or 45.9% of private-sector workers.
A separate Federal Reserve survey suggests many small businesses that have adopted AI are already seeing benefits.
Nearly half of small employer firms surveyed reported using AI in some capacity, Federal Reserve Gov. Lisa Cook said during a June 24 small-business symposium. Among those using AI, 71% reported increased productivity.
Cook said the findings suggest that many small businesses are “resourceful, adaptable, and eager to find innovative tools” to manage and grow their operations.
The Federal Reserve findings are not directly comparable with the Census Bureau’s overall adoption rate because the surveys ask different questions and measure different groups of businesses.
Comparisons with older Census Bureau figures also require caution because the agency changed its survey wording in November 2025.
The earlier survey asked businesses whether they used AI in producing goods or services. Beginning Nov. 17, the Census Bureau broadened the question to ask whether businesses used AI “in any business function,” including finance, human resources, customer service, marketing, information technology and research and development.
The change is intended to provide a broader picture of how businesses are incorporating AI into their operations.
Lawrence seeking business award nominees
The call is out for nominations for Lawrence Township’s Business Economic Growth awards for 2026.
The Lawrence Township Economic Growth Committee — formerly known as the Growth and Redevelopment Committee — sponsors the awards to honor those members of the community who have made significant or unusual contributions to the economic growth of the township, officials said.
The deadline to submit nominations is Sept. 6, and must include a few sentences describing the reason for the nomination. The nominating forms are available at tinyurl.com/LawrenceAwards2026.
The awards will be presented at Lawrence Township’s annual Community Day celebration, which is set for Oc.t 3.
The awards include the Mayor’s Impact Award, the New Large and Small Business Award, the Lawrence Legacy Award and the Ralph Copleman Environmental Award.
The Mayor’s Impact Award recognizes a business, civic group, public official or program that deserves special recognition for its efforts on behalf of the community.
Previous winners include the Every Child Valued program at the Eggerts Crossing Village affordable housing development. The program grew out of an after-school program that aimed to close the achievement gap between white students and Black students.
The New Large and Small Business Award recognizes a successful new business – either a start-up or a relocation of an existing business – that was established in Lawrence Township between January 2025 and September 2026.
Bountiful Gardens, which is the latest business to occupy the greenhouse and floral shop at 1365 Lawrenceville Road, is a previous winner.
The Lawrence Legacy Award is given to a business or civic organization that has been part of the Lawrence community for many years and has made a positive impact on the community.
The previous winner was the Trenton Farmers Market on Spruce Street, which opened its doors in 1948. It had its beginnings in the early 1900s, when farmers would travel to sell their produce near the “Trenton Makes, the World Takes” bridge over the Delaware River.
The Ralph Copleman Environmental Award is named after the Sustainable Lawrence co-founder, who died in 2011. The award recognizes a businsess, organization, community group or individual for environmentally sustainable practices, such as minimizing the impact on natural resources.
Cherry Grove Organic Farm on Carter Road is a previous award winner. It was created in 2002 when three farmers leased 19 acres of land from the Hamill family.
For more information, contact Business Economic Growth Committee chair Melissa Clark at lawrencetwpgrowthcommittee@gmail.com.
Sustainability summit set for New Brunswick
Business leaders, policymakers and sustainability experts will gather in New Brunswick for the inaugural Hermann Sustainability Summit on Thursday and Friday, Sept. 17 and 18.
The two-day event, organized by Hermann Services, will be held at the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center and is expected to bring together more than 150 fleet operators, shippers, manufacturers, fuel suppliers, policymakers, researchers and other industry leaders.
State Sens. Bob Smith and Andrew Zwicker will be among the featured speakers. Smith, chairman of the Senate Environment and Energy Committee, will deliver a keynote address on New Jersey’s energy landscape. Zwicker will give a keynote address later in the program.
Sessions will examine issues facing companies attempting to make their transportation and supply-chain operations more sustainable, including fleet electrification, alternative fuels, infrastructure, clean-energy funding, zero-emission vehicles and sustainability initiatives.
The program also will address the costs and practical challenges involved in transitioning commercial fleets to new technologies. Sessions will bring together fleet operators, utilities and infrastructure providers to discuss the investments needed to support wider use of electric vehicles.
Other discussions will focus on electrification throughout the freight transportation system and partnerships between businesses and universities to develop the next generation of workers in sustainability-related fields.
The summit begins Thursday, Sept. 17, with registration at 7:30 a.m. and breakfast at 8 a.m. Smith’s keynote begins at 9 a.m. The first day also includes breakout sessions, a networking lunch, reception and dinner.
Programming continues Friday, Sept. 18, with breakfast, breakout sessions and a closing keynote.
For more information or to register, go tohermanntds.com/sustainability-summit.
