Written by At the National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE), we are committed to supporting the millions of independent workers, freelancers, and small business owners who power the American economy. Today, new artificial intelligence (AI) tools are giving self-employed professionals the ability to streamline daily operations, increase productivity, and reduce costs, allowing them to focus more on growing their businesses and serving their customers.
Running a small or solo business often means wearing many hats. Entrepreneurs are responsible for everything from marketing and customer service to bookkeeping and administrative tasks. AI-powered tools are helping ease this burden by automating routine work and making it easier for entrepreneurs to manage multiple responsibilities at once.
AI tools can assist with drafting marketing content and social media posts, managing customer communications, analyzing customer trends, generating financial summaries, and streamlining invoicing and expense tracking. For self-employed professionals with limited time and resources, these capabilities can make a meaningful difference in how efficiently they operate. For example, a freelance graphic designer might use AI to draft client proposals and marketing emails, while a consultant could generate quick financial summaries or meeting notes with AI-powered tools. Instead of spending hours on administrative work, self-employed professionals can devote more time to serving clients and growing their businesses.
Adoption of these technologies is accelerating quickly. According to recent research from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, 58 percent of small businesses now report using generative AI, up from 40 percent in 2024 and more than double the share in 2023 (23 percent).
Importantly, AI tools are helping level the playing field for independent workers who may not have access to the same resources as larger companies. Tasks that once required hiring outside consultants or investing in expensive software can now often be completed quickly using accessible, affordable AI-driven platforms.
These innovations are also helping reduce overhead costs. By automating repetitive tasks and improving workflow efficiency, self-employed professionals can spend less time on administrative work and more time delivering value to their clients. A recent survey commissioned by ActiveCampaign found that small businesses using AI report saving an average of 13 hours per week and more than $4,700 per month in operational costs. This increased efficiency can translate directly into higher productivity and stronger business growth.
As artificial intelligence becomes more widely used across the small business community, policymakers will play an important role in ensuring these tools remain accessible to the self-employed. Expanding access to training, education, and technical resources can help independent workers better understand and adopt these technologies. At the same time, overly complex or fragmented regulatory frameworks could create new barriers to innovation. For example, if AI tools used for bookkeeping, invoicing, or customer management are regulated differently across states, self-employed professionals could face additional compliance requirements just to use the tools that help run their businesses.
At NASE, we believe that embracing new technologies like AI is essential to ensuring that the self-employed community continues to thrive in an increasingly digital economy. Policymakers should recognize the important role these tools play in supporting independent workers and ensure that innovation remains accessible, affordable, and widely available to small businesses and the self-employed.
AI is quickly becoming an essential part of the modern entrepreneurial toolkit for independent workers. By helping self-employed professionals work smarter, reduce costs, and expand their capabilities, these tools are empowering independent workers to build stronger, more resilient businesses and compete in an increasingly digital economy.