AI in Business: What U.S. Leaders Are Doing and How Zimbabwe Can Follow Suit

For good measure, AI created the image above.

At this point, we’ve all heard about how AI will upend the modern workplace yada yada. It started as all hype, with no one wanting to seem backward, so they hyped the tech while not actually using it.

In the U.S., where adoption was supposed to be highest, a survey from the Census Bureau at the end of 2023 found that just 4.4% of businesses nationwide reported using AI to produce goods or services recently.

That’s understandable. While AI can improve efficiency yada yada, actually finding a way to integrate it into business processes can be difficult.

However, in that same 2023, generative AI (ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot, etc.) was being used at a much better clip. A survey of senior business leaders in large organizations in the U.S. revealed that 37% were using generative AI weekly.

By the end of 2024, that had risen to 72%. I’m actually surprised it wasn’t 100%.

We don’t have similar surveys in Zimbabwe, but I’m willing to go out on a limb and say we’re probably using generative AI at a much lower rate.

What Are Businesses Using AI For?

Maybe if we look at what these senior business leaders are using generative AI for, our own leaders can get ideas:

• Document and proposal writing & editing – 64%
• Data analysis and analytics – 62%
• Customer service and support – 58%
• Fraud detection and prevention – 55%
• Financial forecasting and planning – 53%

The report says people are still experimenting with AI to figure out how it works best for them. So dear Zimbo, there’s no reason you shouldn’t do the same.

What About Zimbabwe?

Now, how does this apply to us? AI isn’t just for the Americans. It can help Zimbabwean businesses and individuals too. Here’s how:

• Retailers & SMEs: AI can help with customer support (think AI chatbots handling WhatsApp queries 24/7). Using AI for customer support seems to be the lowest hanging fruit with most of Zimbabwean businesses that have reported using AI using it for this.
• Farmers: AI-powered apps can analyze weather patterns and soil conditions for better crop planning.
• Writers & Journalists: Tools like ChatGPT can help with research, summarizing long reports, or even generating article ideas.
• Students & Professionals: AI can assist with learning, CV writing, and preparing presentations.
• Banks & Finance: AI can improve fraud detection and assist with financial planning.

How to Get Started with AI in Zimbabwe

The best part is that many of these tools are free for casual users. So, no excuses. Here’s what you can do today:

1. Tinker with ChatGPT, Gemini, or Copilot – Just start asking questions and see what they can do.
2. Use AI for small tasks – Need a quick summary of a long document? Want help drafting an email? AI can help.
3. Explore AI-powered tools – Canva has AI for design, Grammarly for writing, and Google Sheets has AI-powered automation.
4. Join AI discussions & training – We have a WhatsApp group full of helpful people and if you want to dig into this AI business, you can join here.

Yes, there are challenges—slow internet, lack of awareness, and skepticism—but none of these should stop you from experimenting. AI is not coming to take your job (at least not yet), but knowing how to use it could be the difference between staying ahead and being left behind.

So, open one of these tools today, start tinkering, and by the end of this year, AI might just become an indispensable tool for you.