When ChatGPT and other AI tools started making headlines, I was as skeptical as anyone. Sure, the promise of automation, 24/7 efficiency, and data-driven insight sounded great—but could an algorithm really handle the messy, unpredictable reality of running a small business? I decided to find out the only way I know how: first-hand.
So for thirty days, I let artificial intelligence take the reins of my online retail business. The rules were simple: wherever possible, decisions, communications, and operations would be handled or guided by AI tools. I’d step in only if something truly went off the rails. Here’s what really happened.
Week 1: The Great Setup
The first week was, honestly, a little overwhelming. There’s a dizzying number of AI platforms out there—everything from inventory forecasting (hello, predictive analytics!) to customer service chatbots, automated marketing emails, and even basic bookkeeping. I cobbled together a “stack” that could cover ordering, customer inquiries, social media, and daily financials.
The first couple of days were spent feeding information into these systems—product catalogs, customer histories, vendor contacts. It felt a bit like teaching a very eager, slightly scatterbrained intern. My inbox pinged with AI-generated suggestions: “Based on last month’s sales, consider restocking Item X,” or “It’s been 30 days since Customer Y’s last order—send a discount code?”
It was efficient, but impersonal. I worried my business would start to feel…robotic.
Week 2: The Robot Writes Back
This is when things got interesting. My AI assistant started handling customer inquiries. At first, it was just answering FAQs (“How long is shipping?”), but soon it was responding to more nuanced questions. A customer emailed about a delayed package—before I could even draft a response, the AI had replied with an apology, a tracking update, and a coupon code for next time.
Did it sound exactly like me? Not quite. But it was polite, quick, and helpful. The customer wrote back with a thank you and a smiley face.
I also let AI schedule and draft my social media posts. It suggested trends, wrote captions, and even picked hashtags. My engagement numbers didn’t skyrocket, but they held steady—and I spent almost zero time on social media that week.
Week 3: The First Fumbles
No experiment is perfect. In week three, a supplier changed their minimum order quantities. The AI, seeing this as a “discrepancy,” sent a flurry of auto-emails to the supplier, my accountant, and me. It nearly placed a double order before I stepped in. Lesson learned: AI is great at following rules, but it needs a human to interpret exceptions.
There were other hiccups, too. AI-generated marketing emails sometimes felt a little…generic. One subject line, “Unlock Your Potential With Our Latest Deals!” made me cringe. I spent some time tweaking the tone and setting stricter parameters.
Week 4: Finding the Balance
By week four, I’d developed a rhythm. AI handled the routine: processing orders, flagging low inventory, answering standard customer questions, and keeping my books up to date. I focused on the things AI couldn’t do well—relationship-building, creative strategy, and the occasional customer complaint that needed a personal touch.
I noticed something surprising: with the day-to-day grind automated, I had more time (and headspace) to think bigger. I started planning a new product line, forged a partnership with a local artist, and even took a real lunch break for once.
The Bottom Line
So, did AI “run my business” for 30 days? Yes—and no. AI managed the systems, the data, the routine. It saved me at least 15 hours a week in repetitive admin work. My customers didn’t seem to notice a difference, and a few even complimented the speedy replies. But the heart of my business—the vision, the relationships, the creative spark—still needed a human.
Here’s what I learned:
- AI is a powerful tool, not a magic wand. It excels at process, not nuance.
- It’s only as good as the data and directions you give it. Garbage in, garbage out.
- The human touch matters. Customers can tell when there’s someone real behind the screen.
Would I do it all over again? Absolutely. But next time, I’ll remember: AI is here to help me run my business—not to replace me.
Curious about trying it yourself? Start small. Automate the repetitive tasks, keep a close eye on the human side, and don’t be afraid to step in when things get weird. Your business (and your sanity) will thank you.
