Steve Rao: The AI revolution must include Main Street

June 8, 2026 - 20:56

Small businesses are often left out of the conversation when it comes to technological revolutions. But as artificial intelligence reshapes the economy, the real test of its success will be whether it helps the family-owned manufacturer, the local retailer, and the startup in a small town. According to Steve Rao, the AI revolution must include Main Street, not just the big tech campuses and venture capital firms.

A family-owned manufacturer exploring automation on the factory floor is already a quiet example of this shift. A local retailer using AI-powered marketing tools to reach customers more effectively is another. And a small startup building the next generation of innovative products from a modest office is perhaps the most promising sign of all. These are the businesses that employ most Americans. They are the ones that anchor communities and create local jobs.

If AI remains a tool only for large corporations with deep data teams and big budgets, it will widen the gap between the haves and the have-nots. But if small businesses can access affordable, practical AI tools, they can compete more effectively, streamline their operations, and even create new products. The challenge is not just building better AI. It is making sure that AI is built for everyone, including the entrepreneur in a small town who needs a fair shot at the future.