INTELIGÊNCIA ARTIFICIAL NA TOMADA DE DECISÃO EMPRESARIAL DE PEQUENAS EMPRESAS

Abstract

This research analyzes the application of Artificial Intelligence in decision-making in small businesses, discussing its benefits, challenges, and implications for competitiveness. Based on a comprehensive literature review, academic articles, books, technical reports, and institutional documents addressing the adoption of intelligent systems in smaller business contexts were examined. The results indicate that AI contributes to increased operational efficiency, reduced costs, and improved decision quality, especially through the analysis of large volumes of data and the automation of routine tasks. However, the implementation of these technologies faces significant barriers, such as financial limitations, lack of adequate infrastructure, and a shortage of qualified professionals, in addition to ethical risks related to algorithmic biases, transparency, and accountability for automated decisions. It was observed that the combination of AI and human judgment proves to be the most appropriate strategy, as continuous managerial oversight allows for contextualizing the results provided by the systems and mitigating potential distortions. In conclusion, when used in a planned and ethical manner, and aligned with business objectives, Artificial Intelligence can become an important competitive advantage for small businesses, expanding their capacity for innovation and market permanence.