Keeping up with the rapid pace of artificial intelligence can feel overwhelming when you’re running a business by yourself. Between juggling client calls, invoices, marketing and product development, there’s barely time to breathe—let alone track every new AI update. Yet ignoring these changes means potentially leaving money on the table. In fact, a recent survey from Xero found that 51 % of U.S. small‑business owners planning to invest in AI consider it “absolutely essential or very important” for remaining competitive. To help you stay on top of the latest developments, this article breaks down the most important AI news from the past two weeks and shows how you can start using these tools today.
Read on to learn about the big announcements that can boost your productivity, streamline finances and amplify your marketing—no technical expertise required.
The biggest AI stories shaping small business right now
AI vendors continue to roll out agentic platforms and smarter assistants aimed at automating repetitive work. Here are the launches and updates you need to know.
- Amazon introduces an agentic Seller Assistant (Sept 17). Amazon’s new Seller Assistant transforms the seller experience from reactive chat to an always‑on partner built on Amazon’s Bedrock and Nova models. Announced September 17, this assistant doesn’t just answer questions—it can monitor inventory, optimize Fulfillment by Amazon stock levels, flag account‑health issues and even plan shipments. Amazon says the tool reasons, plans and takes action on behalf of sellers, allowing one‑person businesses to move from manual tasks to strategy. The assistant draws on 25 years of Amazon data and uses leading foundation models (including Anthropic’s Claude) to personalize recommendations. Early users like Alfred Mai of ASM Games note that the assistant feels like a personal business consultant, surfacing actionable insights immediately.
- Google’s AI advertising suite gets smarter (Sept 10). At the Think Week 2025 event in New York, Google unveiled a comprehensive advertising suite to help retailers and solopreneurs build high‑performing campaigns with less effort. The update bundles features into three categories: AI Data Strength (enhanced Data Manager and cross‑channel measurement), AI Content Strength (Asset Studio and Product Studio for generative creatives) and AI Performance Strength (AI Max, Demand Gen, and Performance Max). The centerpiece is the Power Pack strategy, which combines AI Max for Search, Demand Gen and Performance Max to optimize campaigns across channels. Google claims AI Max for Search delivers 14 % more conversions at similar cost per acquisition. If you run ads or plan to start, these tools can help automate targeting and creative optimization.
- Canva drops five new features for teams and creators (Sept 10). In its September updates, Canva rolled out tools that make visual content creation easier and more collaborative. You can now record professional voiceovers directly in Canva, turning static designs into dynamic videos. Developers and tech‑savvy freelancers can download and modify AI‑generated code from Canva Code. Brand templates now surface right inside core workflows, custom page names make bulk‑created designs easier to organize and data‑driven designs can include up to 150 data fields for deeper personalization. These features are available now and require no additional fees.
AI tools you can start using today
It’s one thing to hear about new AI capabilities; it’s another to put them to work. Here are four tools you can adopt right away—plus simple steps to get started.
1. Amazon Seller Assistant (beta)
If you sell products through Amazon, the new agentic Seller Assistant acts like a 24/7 business partner. Here’s how to start:
- Access Seller Central. Log into your Seller Central account and look for the Seller Assistant beta invitation banner (Amazon is gradually rolling out access). Click “Join beta.”
- Set permissions. Decide which tasks the assistant can perform autonomously (e.g., inventory monitoring) and which require approval. The tool asks before taking action, so you remain in control.
- Ask questions or assign tasks. Start by delegating a simple job—like checking account‑health metrics or preparing a restock plan. The assistant draws on your performance history and Amazon’s models to provide recommendations.
- Review suggestions. The assistant surfaces insights such as slow‑moving stock or FBA fees. You can accept its suggestions, modify them or request a detailed explanation.
The tool is free during beta; pricing for general release hasn’t been announced. Even if you don’t have access yet, prepare by cleaning up your catalog so AI suggestions are based on accurate data.
2. Canva’s September features
Canva’s new tools make it easier for freelancers and small‑team businesses to produce polished content fast.
- Record voiceovers: Open any presentation or video in Canva, click the “Voiceover” button and record directly from your computer’s microphone. The voice file automatically syncs with your visuals.
- Download AI‑generated code: For those using Canva Code to generate web apps or tools, you can now copy the underlying code to further customize it.
- Use Bulk Create smarter: When creating multiple variations of a design (e.g., personalized postcards), you can now assign page names based on any data column—such as customer name or SKU—so files stay organized.
- More data fields: Bulk Create now supports up to 150 data columns, enabling richer personalization for marketing campaigns.
These features are available in free and Pro plans. For voiceovers, invest in a decent microphone to improve audio quality.
What these updates mean for your business
The underlying theme across all these announcements is the rise of agentic AI: systems that not only generate content but also reason about your business, plan tasks and act on your behalf. Amazon’s Seller Assistant moves from reactive chat to a proactive partner that monitors inventory and recommends pricing strategies. Even Google Ads is heading in this direction by combining AI Max, Demand Gen and Performance Max into integrated campaigns that adjust themselves.
For solopreneurs, these tools create a unique opportunity: you can offload repetitive work to AI and spend your time on high‑value activities like building relationships, developing products and crafting strategy. Alfred Mai’s comment that the Seller Assistant feels like a personal consultant underscores how agentic AI can level the playing field. Meanwhile, the ability to record voiceovers or pull AI‑generated code directly from Canva empowers creative entrepreneurs to offer more polished content without hiring contractors.
However, success with AI hinges on data quality and process readiness. Agentic tools learn from your usage patterns and data sets. If your Amazon catalog is mis‑tagged, the Seller Assistant will surface less relevant recommendations. Take time now to standardize data and workflows so the AI has a solid foundation.
Wrapping up
The past two weeks have showcased a clear trend: AI is shifting from isolated features to integrated, agent‑like partners that learn your business and act autonomously. Amazon’s Seller Assistant monitors inventory, Google’s ad suite balances data and creative, and Canva’s latest updates let you add voice and code to your designs. These innovations mean solopreneurs no longer need to do everything manually; intelligent tools are ready to shoulder the busywork.
Don’t sit on the sidelines. Pick one tool from this list and experiment with it this week. Start small, evaluate the results and iterate. As you gain confidence, integrate more AI‑powered solutions. The future belongs to those who combine human creativity with machine efficiency. Ready to scale? Let SoloAITool.com be your partner in exploring and mastering the AI tools that will shape the next decade of business.
