We explore how Australian small businesses can use AI advertising tools to save 7.3 hours a week, featuring practical examples and accessible platforms.
What is happening: New research from Amazon Ads shows that 87% of Australian small and medium-sized business marketing leaders believe AI advertising tools will drive future growth by freeing up time for strategic priorities.
Why this matters: Australian SMEs estimate they could save 7.3 hours per week by using AI to manage advertising campaigns, which is equivalent to 45 working days per year.
New research from Amazon Ads shows that 87% of Australian small and medium-sized business (SMB) marketing leaders believe AI advertising tools will drive future growth by freeing up time for strategic business priorities.
SMEs estimate they could save 7.3 hours per week, equivalent to about 45 working days per year, by using AI to create and manage advertising campaigns. While nearly three-quarters of SMBs are currently using or testing AI tools, 45% admitted to feeling overwhelmed by the number of AI advertising tools available and 50% didn’t know where to start.
Unlock future growth
Amazon Ads research shows that 72% of SMBs already use or actively test AI tools for advertising purposes. Companies plan to use their time savings in several ways: 28% intend to focus more on sales activities, 28% on developing team skills, and 28% on exploring new markets and channels that they previously did not have time to explore.
SMBs also expect a 27% reduction in advertising costs over the next year thanks to AI-enabled efficiencies, including reduced time spent analyzing data (39%), better predicted campaign performance (25%), better campaign reporting and optimization (28%), and media planning support (31%).
AI in advertising today
Of the SMBs currently using or testing AI advertising tools, many are already seeing tangible benefits. Those who implement these tools report improvements through automated visual creation (13%), better performance forecasting (9%), and automated generation of ad copy (8%). SMBs also anticipate future gains that include improved audience reach (44%), accelerated generation of creative content (39%), and automation of repetitive advertising operations (30%) (Amazon Ads, 2025).
For SMBs looking for additional AI capabilities, several third-party platforms offer affordable solutions. For example:
- Meta-enterprise AI provides sales automation, customer engagement support, and a chat-based assistant within Ads Manager for personalized ad targeting.
- Canvto offers AI-based design tools to create professional images without a dedicated designer.
- Jasper provides AI-generated text and content templates for a variety of marketing needs, starting at $39 per month with free trials.
- madgicx includes an AI ad generator and bid optimization for meta ads, starting at $31 per month with a seven-day free trial.
These platforms illustrate how SMBs can combine AI-powered tools with existing workflows to increase efficiency without requiring extensive technical expertise.
Trust gaps persist
Despite widespread adoption, SMB confidence varies. The Amazon Ads study found that 45% of marketing leaders feel overwhelmed by the number of tools available, 50% are excited about AI in advertising but don’t know where to start, and 44% admitted to feeling like they are “faking it” when using AI. This highlights the need for easy-to-use AI solutions that do not require steep learning curves.
SMBs also want to maintain human oversight on key advertising decisions. According to Amazon Ads, 38% want final creative approval, 32% want control over budget allocation, and 31% want to ensure cultural and emotional context is taken into account.
Willie Pang, general manager of Amazon Ads in Australia, said: “For SMBs, time is a valuable resource. Every hour saved is time that can be spent growing the business or better serving customers. That’s why we’ve integrated AI capabilities into familiar tools to make the process simple and effective. Our AI-powered tools, like Image Generator and Video Builder, help companies to easily produce outstanding ads, allowing them to get back to what they do best: growing their business.
Australian SMEs are experiencing a period of optimism about the potential and practical challenges of AI adoption. Success appears to depend on selecting accessible AI tools that complement existing workflows, combining automation with human expertise. While Amazon Ads provides basic data on adoption, other platforms such as Meta, Canva, Jasper, and Madgicx offer additional avenues for SMBs to experiment with AI in advertising.
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