""A recent paper from economists at the University of British Columbia and the Stockholm School of Economics found that generative A.I. was “spurring entrepreneurial activity” in the United States, both by giving rise to new ventures built around the technology and by making it cheaper to start enterprises.
“A.I. tools can do very many different things very well,” said Jan Bena, an associate professor at the University of British Columbia and one of the study’s authors. “That’s the reason why you see so much entry.”
According to a recent report from Gusto, a small-business payroll and benefits service, nearly 60 percent of founders on its platform who started businesses last year said they used A.I., and half said the technology made it cheaper and faster.
The technology appears to be greasing the path for entrepreneurs, removing some barriers and allowing them to get their enterprises off the ground more quickly. Chatbots are effectively serving as virtual collaborators that can answer questions, carry out tasks and write code.
Ms. Winkler, the founder of Revel Method Pilates, said she used A.I. to refine her communications with clients, conduct research and develop marketing. She often turns to chatbots for advice when she isn’t feeling confident about a new concept and considers A.I. an indispensable thought partner.
“I don’t know how people did business prior to A.I. some days,” she said.""