A Meta-commissioned YouGov study of 3,983 small business owners across nine Asia-Pacific markets reveals that 84% of these enterprises are currently using artificial intelligence. The research, conducted between 6 August and 2 September 2026, highlights a significant gap between adoption and the support needed to use these tools effectively.
While the majority of respondents reported positive outcomes, with 76% noting improved productivity and 71% seeing gains in revenue or sales over the past year, most feel they lack the necessary direction. More than four in five owners, specifically 86%, stated that small businesses require more guidance to fully benefit from AI technologies.
Barriers to Training and Implementation
The study identified cost as the primary obstacle to acquiring AI training, with 51% of owners citing it as a major barrier. Beyond financial constraints, business owners expressed a need for clearer information regarding the costs and return on investment associated with AI tools. They also requested specific guidance on data privacy and security protocols.
The findings suggest that while small businesses have embraced AI to address common challenges such as limited resources and time, they are now seeking structured support. Owners indicated they would value free training programs and policies that facilitate access to digital skills and AI investment.
Meta Small Business Growth Academy Response
In response to these findings, Meta highlighted its partnership with governments and industry associations to help businesses utilize AI effectively. This effort follows the launch of the Meta Small Business Growth Academy across Asia-Pacific earlier this year. The program aims to help small businesses scale by providing practical training in AI-enabled advertising, Reels, WhatsApp for Business, and cross-border commerce.
The academy is delivered in collaboration with local chambers of commerce and government partners. It focuses on helping entrepreneurs compete with larger firms and reach customers beyond their immediate borders. Meta also pointed to specific tools available to small businesses, including Advantage+ for ad creation, ads that link to WhatsApp, and Meta Business Agent for automating customer inquiries.
Case studies from the region illustrate the potential impact of such training. Husnul Khotimah, founder of the modest fashion brand Zayya in Indonesia, used the academy’s training to expand into Malaysia. With a daily ad budget of just Rp30,000, approximately USD 1.68, she generated 50 customer enquiries. The use of Meta’s business tools reduced her customer response time from 30 to 60 minutes to under two minutes, resulting in more than an eight times return on ad spend for the campaign.
“Meta has helped me see what is possible for a small business like Zayya,” Khotimah said. “I used to think AI was mainly for writing captions and creating content, but I’ve learned that it can also help me understand new markets and reach the right customers. Using tools like Advantage+, we’ve been able to reach customers beyond Indonesia with a small advertising budget, while giving me more time to grow the business and connect with more women who share the same needs that inspired Zayya in the first place.”
The survey data covers a diverse cross-section of small businesses in Australia, Singapore, Vietnam, Indonesia, Taiwan, India, Thailand, Japan, and Hong Kong. Quotas were applied within each market to ensure a balanced spread of businesses with 1 to 49 employees. The research notes that reported adoption and impact vary across the nine markets, which may reflect differences in how owners interpret questions, translation nuances, and local survey response norms.
Source: Meta
