From Gut Feeling to Data-Driven Decisions: How AI Assists Entrepreneurs in Market Analysis

Many entrepreneurs still make crucial decisions based on intuition or quick Google searches. However, in an era where market information becomes outdated faster than ever, artificial intelligence (AI) offers a powerful alternative. Vodafone Business, as a technology partner for entrepreneurs, helps them navigate the digital world daily—not only with smart ICT solutions but also by inspiring and sharing knowledge. The telecom company explored how AI radically accelerates market analysis and which tools are best suited for small businesses.

Traditional market research is often expensive, time-consuming, and requires specific expertise, making it unfeasible for freelancers and small businesses. As a result, decisions about marketing, target audiences, or product development are often made without hard data.

"AI tools level the playing field," says Aziz Mohammadi, Tribe Lead Data & Artificial Intelligence at Vodafone Business. "They help entrepreneurs quickly capture market signals and act on them—without needing to be an analyst."

How AI Makes a Difference: Modern AI tools can search and structure vast amounts of online data within seconds. Think of analyzing competitors, identifying growth markets, or detecting new customer needs. Where you once spent hours scouring forums, reports, and review sites, you now get a summarized answer with sources in a single prompt. These applications not only save time but also help make better decisions backed by up-to-date market insights.

Top Three AI Tools for Entrepreneurs: "AI is not a hype but a tool that genuinely helps entrepreneurs," Mohammadi emphasizes. "It's not about the technology itself but what you can do with it." Vodafone Business has already integrated AI into its operations and aims to help entrepreneurs take the same step. For small businesses, Mohammadi recommends three accessible AI tools:

1. Perplexity Pro – Ideal for quick, reliable market analysis, combining AI with search engine logic.
2. ChatGPT (Pro Version) – Excels in structuring and interpreting information, useful for sector analyses and trend comparisons.
3. Google Gemini – Great for analyzing real-time web content like customer reviews and news articles.

Vodafone Business offers small business customers a free one-year trial of Perplexity Pro, making data-driven decisions more accessible.