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How do you use AI agents in a small business?
Short answer
Start an AI agent on one repeatable task with a clear end result, such as researching suppliers, building a weekly report or sorting your inbox. Give it read-only access first, require approval before it sends, pays or deletes anything, and check the result. Agents such as ChatGPT Work come with paid plans you may already have.
Good first tasks
- Research and compare suppliers, then produce a spreadsheet.
- Turn a month of invoices into a summary for your accountant.
- Draft replies to routine enquiries for you to approve.
- Monitor a competitor's prices or your Google reviews and report weekly.
Agents you may already have
| Agent | Comes with | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ChatGPT Work | ChatGPT Plus, Pro and Business | See what is ChatGPT Work? |
| Microsoft Copilot agents | Microsoft 365 Copilot plans | See which Copilot is best for business? |
| Meta Business Agent | WhatsApp Business, in limited countries | See does WhatsApp have AI? |
| AI voice agents | Phone answering services | See what is an AI voice agent? |
Set guard rails
- Use a business account so customer data has proper terms.
- Connect only the apps the task needs.
- Set approval for sending, buying, editing and deleting.
- Keep a person responsible for anything that goes to a customer.
More detail: can AI agents be trusted?
What it costs
Many agents are included in plans you pay for already. Heavy use can run into extra credits; see how much does AI cost for a small business?
Related questions
What is an AI agent?
An AI that carries out a series of steps towards a goal, using tools such as a browser or your apps, rather than just answering one question.
Are AI agents worth it for a sole trader?
Yes, for tasks that take hours each week. For one-off questions, ordinary chat is enough.
Sources
- OpenAI Help: ChatGPT Work and Codex
- OpenAI Help: managing app permissions in ChatGPT
- ICO: guidance on AI and data protection
Checked 17 October 2026. Rules and prices change, so check the source before you rely on it. This is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice.
More on getting started with ai
- Are AI chatbots dangerous?
- Can AI analyse a video?
- Can AI compare two documents?
- Can AI help me write a book?
- Can AI proofread a document?
- Can ChatGPT be used for business?
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