Background and insight
Fast Company describes solopreneurs using AI before hiring or seeking outside help. In FreshBooks data, 86% of solopreneurs and micro-business owners say they will turn to AI before outside help, and 90% say AI has made it easier to build and run a business alone. Examples include scheduling, first drafts of marketing, websites, and early business plans. These figures come from FreshBooks, an accounting-software provider, so they should be understood as reported survey findings, not a guarantee for every business.
The article also highlights limits. In the survey, 65% say the work of maintaining and checking AI is contributing to “AI burnout.” As tasks become more complex, review and correction can consume the time saved. Finance and tax work also require particular care because the information is sensitive and errors can have consequences. AI can support the work, but responsibility and professional judgment do not disappear.
What does this mean for your everyday life?
For a self-employed person, AI can create more room to focus on core work—but only if it genuinely reduces the burden. Compare the time spent creating a draft with the time needed to verify it. When a task requires specialist knowledge, confidentiality, or ongoing ownership, a person may be a better choice than another automated workflow.
💡 How to use this knowledge
- Choose one repetitive, low-risk task, such as drafting a social post. Track the time saved, then check facts and tone before publishing.
- Do not enter customer data, passwords, or detailed financial information into an AI tool until you have checked its data practices, permissions, and terms.
- Set a limit on how much time you spend correcting AI output. If a task recurs, grows more complex, or needs constant expert review, consider an accountant, freelancer, or part-time hire.