Can Artificial Intelligence Reduce Socio-Economic Inequality in Business Opportunities?

Abstract

Artificial intelligence (AI), particularly generative artificial intelligence (GenAI), is increasingly shaping business productivity, entrepreneurship, access to information, and market participation. This study examines whether AI can reduce socio-economic inequality in business opportunities, with particular attention to small and medium-sized enterprises and differences in organizational readiness, digital capability, and access to resources. A qualitative research design was used, based on in-depth interviews with five experienced business professionals from forensic services, construction and real estate, business operations, and entrepreneurship. The interview data were analyzed thematically. Three central themes emerged from the interviews: barriers to AI adoption, unequal distribution of AI-related benefits, and AI as an enabler of inclusive business growth. The findings indicate that AI can reduce some traditional barriers to business entry and competitiveness by improving productivity, marketing, communication, decision-making, and access to knowledge. However, the benefits are conditional rather than automatic. Organizational readiness, AI literacy, training, digital infrastructure, financial resources, and the ability to evaluate and implement AI-generated recommendations influence whether businesses can translate access into meaningful gains. The findings are consistent with recent research showing that AI adoption is uneven across firm sizes and that the effects of generative AI vary across users and entrepreneurial capabilities. The study concludes that AI has meaningful potential to reduce socio-economic inequality in business opportunities, but only when supported by inclusive skills development, affordable access, digital infrastructure, and responsible implementation.