Many entrepreneurs still make major business decisions based on intuition or quick Google searches. But in an age where market information becomes outdated faster than ever, artificial intelligence (AI) offers a powerful alternative. As a technology partner to entrepreneurs, Vodafone Business helps them take steps into the digital world every day — not only with smart ICT solutions, but also by offering inspiration and sharing knowledge. The telecom company explored how AI is radically speeding up the market analysis process and which tools are best suited for small business owners.
Traditional market research is often expensive, time-consuming, and requires specialised knowledge. For freelancers and small businesses, this is rarely feasible. As a result, decisions about marketing, customer groups, or product development are often made without solid data.
“AI tools are levelling the playing field,” says Aziz Mohammadi, Tribe Lead Data & Artificial Intelligence for Vodafone Business. “They help entrepreneurs pick up on market signals incredibly quickly and act on them — without needing to be a data analyst.”
What AI Does Differently
Modern AI tools can scan and structure large volumes of online data in seconds. Think analysing competitors, identifying growth markets, or detecting new customer needs. Where you used to spend hours trawling through forums, reports and review sites, you now get a full summary — including sources — from a single prompt. These tools not only save time, but also help you make better, well-informed decisions based on current market insights.
Three Standout AI Tools
“AI isn’t just hype — it’s a real asset for entrepreneurs,” says Aziz Mohammadi. “It’s not about the tech itself, but what you can do with it. At Vodafone Business, we’re already using this technology ourselves, and we want to help entrepreneurs take the same step.”
Especially for small business owners, he selected three accessible AI tools:
- Perplexity Pro [Perplexity] – The go-to tool for anyone who wants fast, reliable market analysis. Perplexity combines AI power with search engine logic: it answers questions with up-to-date information and always cites its sources. Ideal for competitor analysis, customer queries or exploring new target groups. The interface is simple, and the results are transparent — a key advantage for entrepreneurs who want to trust their insights.
- ChatGPT (Pro version) [ChatGPT | OpenAI] – This powerful AI assistant excels at structuring and interpreting information. You can ask it to summarise sector analyses, compare trends or simulate customer personas. Combined with the browser plugin, it becomes a versatile tool for strategic insights as well as creative uses like marketing texts or content ideas.
- Google Gemini (formerly Bard) [Gemini: the chat tool that gives your ideas a boost] – Gemini is ideal for analysing up-to-date web content: customer reviews, news articles, trend reports. Thanks to its integration with other Google services, it’s a low-barrier option for entrepreneurs already in the Google ecosystem. Especially useful for quickly gaining insight into customer feedback or product trends.
What to Watch Out For
All three tools now offer deep research functionality — a powerful way to use AI for market analysis.
Perplexity Pro stands out with its combination of web search and AI. It gives clear, concise answers with sources and excels in deepening your research iteratively through follow-up questions. You develop sharp market insights simply by talking to it.
ChatGPT distinguishes itself with its advanced deep research mode, capable of breaking down complex questions in 5–15 minutes, including calculations and detailed references. Ideal for in-depth analysis.
Google Gemini scores points for accessibility: it’s free, easy to use and casts a wide net — great for quick orientation, especially in consumer markets. The integration with Google services makes it attractive for starters, although its analytical depth is currently more limited than the other two. The final choice therefore depends on your goal: trustworthy data, creative insights, or quick customer feedback.
Vodafone Business doesn’t just provide connectivity and ICT technology to businesses; it also wants to help entrepreneurs navigate new digital solutions. That’s why small business customers of Vodafone Business and Ziggo Zakelijk can try Perplexity Pro free for a year (normally €225 per year). This makes the shift to data-driven decision-making even easier.
More info here.