Today’s young workforce is gravitating towards SMBs that offer AI tools and flexible workflows
KEY POINTS
- The ASUS Future of SMB Report finds 66% of SMB leaders believe AI will drive either a significant evolution or generational shift in business practices
- 65% of SMB leaders say adopting AI is critical to retaining Gen Z talent
- Gen Z workers prioritize AI-powered devices and flexible, digital-first workflows when evaluating employers
- SMBs are using AI PCs to reduce repetitive tasks and empower teams to focus on high-value, creative work
- ASUS supports this transformation with AI-powered devices like the ASUS ExpertBook Ultra and collaboration tools like ASUS ExpertMeet
FREMONT, Calif., Feb. 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — According to data from the ASUS Future of SMB Report, small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) aiming to attract and retain Gen Z talent should look to artificial intelligence (AI) as more than a productivity tool, but also a cultural differentiator. The report reveals that 66% of SMB leaders expect AI to drive either a significant evolution or a generational shift in business practices, underscoring AI’s growing role in shaping the modern workplace.
Raised in the world of smartphones, social media, and intuitive tech, Gen Z brings unique fluency to digital tools, particularly AI. While past generations may have seen automation as a back-office upgrade, Gen Z naturally embraces AI to work smarter, faster, and with greater freedom. From smart assistants and live transcriptions to real-time translations, these tools reduce manual tasks, opening up space for creativity, strategic thinking, and impact.
It’s no surprise, then, that 65% of SMB leaders say adopting AI and modern technology is critical to retaining younger employees, as found in the ASUS data. Rather than spending their early years buried in repetitive work, Gen Z can now direct their energy toward innovation, connection, and growth.
“Gen Z entered the workforce expecting their tools to be as smart as their smartphones. They have less patience for “busy work” that could be handled by a machine,” says Jenny Chang, Director of Marketing. “By adopting devices with local AI capabilities, SMBs aren’t just checking a box for IT, they are sending a clear signal to young talent that their creativity and not just clock-in time is valued.”
To support this shift, ASUS offers a suite of AI-ready solutions tailored to today’s SMBs. The ASUS ExpertBook Ultra delivers next‑generation AI acceleration. With ASUS MyExpert, an all‑in‑one AI productivity suite built into the device, professionals gain powerful tools for writing assistance, document analysis, translation, and workflow automation. Meanwhile, AI ExpertMeet enhances collaboration with AI meeting minutes, real‑time translation, and auto‑generated action items, ensuring every conversation becomes actionable.
For young professionals entering the workforce, flexibility and purpose are just as important as compensation. AI-enabled workflows, and the hybrid work setups made possible by said workflows, give Gen Z the autonomy they value, enabling them to work from anywhere, collaborate fluidly, and make meaningful contributions from day one. As SMBs compete in a tightening talent market, AI PCs are not just helping them scale; it’s helping them build workplaces Gen Z wants to be part of.
AVAILABILITY & PRICING
ASUS ExpertBook Ultra (B9406) is soon to be available worldwide. Please contact your local ASUS representative for further information.
About ASUS
ASUS is a global technology leader that provides the world’s most innovative and intuitive devices, components, and solutions to deliver incredible experiences that enhance the lives of people everywhere. With its team of 5,000 in-house R&D experts, the company is world-renowned for continuously reimagining today’s technologies. Consistently ranked as one of Fortune’s World’s Most Admired Companies, ASUS is also committed to sustaining an incredible future. The goal is to create a net zero enterprise that helps drive the shift towards a circular economy, with a responsible supply chain creating shared value for every one of us.