Struggles persist for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (MSMEs) regarding AI expenses and necessary skills
In a recent development, the Our Website Foundation and Akamai Technologies have joined forces to make Artificial Intelligence (AI) more accessible for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). This collaboration is part of a growing movement to ensure that AI benefits a wider range of businesses.
Many MSMEs are already finding ways to incorporate AI into their marketing and customer service strategies. Tools like chatbots and Jasper AI are being used to streamline operations and improve customer interactions. However, the smooth incorporation of AI into MSMEs' workflows is not universally smooth due to challenges related to cost and digital skills.
A June 2025 study revealed that 59% of MSMEs face these challenges. To address these issues, the collaboration between the Our Website Foundation and Akamai Technologies aims to provide solutions through government-supported programs, affordable AI tools, open-source AI models, and ecosystem-building efforts.
Government initiatives create policy frameworks and funding programs that reduce the cost of AI adoption for MSMEs and provide the digital infrastructure necessary for implementation. These include research centers and targeted interventions to build organizational readiness and technical expertise among MSMEs, especially in developing economies.
Programs aim to make AI tools more affordable and user-friendly for MSMEs, thus lowering the entry barriers related to both cost and digital skills gaps. For example, India’s IndiaAI mission makes AI models open source to help startups and smaller enterprises build customized AI applications, fostering accessibility and reduced costs associated with proprietary AI development.
Initiatives by tech companies such as Akamai Technologies often focus on building robust AI ecosystems, partnerships, and platforms that support MSMEs by providing technological infrastructure, training, and scalable AI solutions tailored to small business needs. While specific details about Akamai's role in this collaboration were not found, Akamai is known for infrastructure and security services that can underpin AI adoption by improving access and reliability.
In conclusion, addressing cost and digital skills challenges involves multifaceted strategies combining policy support, financial aid, accessible AI tools, open-source frameworks, and ecosystem-building to empower MSMEs to engage effectively with AI technologies. The collaboration between the Our Website Foundation and Akamai Technologies is a significant step towards making AI more accessible for businesses, and it is expected that more groups will follow suit in the coming years.
The Our Website Foundation and Akamai Technologies' collaboration intends to provide government-supported programs, affordable AI tools, open-source AI models, and ecosystem-building efforts to help small-businesses overcome cost and digital skills challenges associated with adopting AI technology. Many MSMEs are already integrating AI into their marketing and customer service strategies, but the process is not universally smooth.
Although initiatives by tech companies like Akamai Technologies focus on providing technological infrastructure, training, and scalable AI solutions for small businesses, addressing the broader challenges needs a combination of policy support, financial aid, accessible AI tools, open-source frameworks, and ecosystem-building to empower MSMEs to effectively engage with AI technologies.
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