OpenAI’s annual Dev Day this October wasn’t just another tech event, it was a turning point for small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs). Instead of focusing solely on cutting-edge software or developer tools, this year’s event spotlighted how everyday businesses can finally use AI easily, affordably, and effectively.
For years, AI felt out of reach for smaller companies, too expensive, too technical, and too complicated to implement. That’s changing fast. OpenAI has now rolled out tools that make it possible for small businesses to automate work, improve customer service, and make smarter decisions without needing a tech team or a big budget.
A New Era for AI Accessibility
OpenAI’s ChatGPT platform now serves over 800 million users every week, showing just how mainstream AI has become. But until now, most small businesses were still watching from the sidelines. The new updates announced at Dev Day are built to close that gap making AI practical, not just powerful.
Apps in ChatGPT: Your Business Tools in One Place
One of the biggest announcements was “Apps in ChatGPT.”
Think of it as a digital workspace where your tools customer service, sales tracking, inventory, and reports—can all live in one chat window.
You can ask ChatGPT to:
- Pull up a sales report
- Reply to a customer message
- Update your CRM or booking system
And it just does it with no coding, no switching between software, no waiting on IT. This makes it possible for business owners or office managers to handle multiple processes faster and more efficiently.
AgentKit: Automating Routine Work Without a Developer
Next up is AgentKit, a new feature that lets you build your own “AI assistants” for everyday tasks using a simple visual interface.
You could create an agent that:
- Welcomes new employees and sends onboarding documents
- Follows up on sales leads automatically
- Organises files or sends reminders from your shared drive
It’s all drag-and-drop. You don’t need to write a single line of code. The result? Fewer repetitive tasks for your team, more time for the work that actually grows your business.
Codex: Smarter, Faster Software (Even for Small Teams)
For companies that do have developers or tech staff, OpenAI’s Codex helps them work much faster and with fewer errors.
It can check code automatically, suggest improvements, and even integrate smoothly with tools like Slack. In short, it helps small tech teams work like large ones, delivering updates and features more quickly and reliably.
Affordable AI: Powerful Models for Every Budget
One of the biggest barriers for small businesses has always been cost. This year, OpenAI tackled that head-on.
The new GPT-5 Pro model offers industry-level accuracy for sectors like finance, healthcare, and law. But for most businesses, OpenAI’s new “mini” models deliver nearly the same power at 70–80% lower cost. That means even small shops or agencies can now use AI for things like:
- Customer chatbots
- Marketing content
- Product image generation
All these without paying enterprise prices.
Real-World Impact: SMEs Leading the Way
At the event, OpenAI showcased real examples of small businesses already seeing results:
- Startups and small teams using ChatGPT to manage customer support and marketing in one place.
- OpenAI’s own internal teams using the same AI tools to automate finance, sales, and HR work.
- Hands-on demos proving that even businesses with no tech background can build and test their own agents.
The message was clear: these tools aren’t futuristic experiments—they’re ready to use today.
One Workspace for Everything
A phrase repeated throughout Dev Day summed it up perfectly: “ChatGPT as your conversational browser.”
Instead of juggling between apps for accounting, CRM, and marketing, you can simply talk to ChatGPT. It understands your business context and connects to the tools you already use. That means fewer distractions, clearer insights, and faster decisions.
What Small Businesses Can Do Now
If you’re wondering how to start, here’s a simple roadmap:
Sign up on the OpenAI Platform – Explore new tools and features.
- Try AgentKit – Automate one routine task in your workflow.
- Integrate your favorite tools – Connect ChatGPT with your existing systems (like Google Drive or Slack).
- Experiment with mini models – Get great results at low cost.
- Join a webinar or workshop – Learn from real examples and other business owners.
- You don’t need to be an AI expert to benefit—you just need to be curious and open to trying new ways of working.
The Bottom Line: “AI for All Businesses”
OpenAI Dev Day 2025 will likely be remembered as the moment AI truly became accessible to everyone—not just tech giants or developers.
For SMEs, this is a major opportunity:
- Reduce admin time
- Improve customer service
- Save costs
- Compete with bigger players
AI is no longer a buzzword or a luxury. It’s a practical tool you can use today to run your business smarter, faster, and more efficiently.
AIFORSME helps businesses harness the power of Artificial Intelligence to drive growth, automation, and efficiency. From strategy and consulting, to AI-powered tools and process optimisation, we support business owners and teams to adopt AI in practical, profitable ways. You can send an email to hello@aiforme.ng. Let’s explore how AI can transform your business.
