Barely 25.4% of small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the Dominican Republic use mobile apps to reach out to their consumers, according to a study by American computing giant Microsoft.
This figure is in fact disappointing because MSMEs account for more than 65% of jobs in the Caribbean country. Also, app-based businesses, such as American ride-hailing app Uber and delivery services provider DeliveryRD, are thriving in the country.
However, the report says, a significant number of small entrepreneurs are eager to adopt cloud computing and artificial intelligence (AI).
In the survey, 70% of MSMEs expressed hope that AI would revolutionize the productive sector in the short term.
However, only 14% of entrepreneurs said they have invested in AI, with the remaining respondents saying that they would spend only after they ascertain the benefits the technology.
Considering the report, around 43% of MSMEs are aware of the basic benefits of Artificial Intelligence.
But a considerable number of businesses in the Caribbean country are using cloud computing. “Around 57% of MSMEs in the country currently use the cloud in their operations and confirm that they have verified their benefits in terms of ease of use and security,” the report added.
Microsoft is working hard to promote new technologies in the Caribbean country, where it has recently launched AI school. Besides, many small enterprises have enrolled their names in Microsoft’s free cloud computing courses.
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