Here's what happened in AI today that matters for your trade business. There's also one quick job to check on your website.

AI could be worth $136,000 a year to a small or medium business

New research from the Tech Council of Australia, released on 22 October, estimates the average small or medium business could gain about $136,000 a year in productivity. The industry body says the gain would come from adopting AI widely and cutting time on admin such as payroll and rostering. Yet only one in four small and medium businesses use AI, and just 5% use it across the business.

What it means for you: Of the businesses already using AI, 94% said it made them more productive. Pick the job that eats your evenings, like quotes, bookings or chasing payments, and test one tool on that first.

Source: SmartCompany

Website security flaw: attack attempts started before the warning

New details have emerged about the serious PHP flaws that affect many websites, including WordPress sites. Amazon Web Services says it saw exploit attempts from 17 October, days before the official alert on 21 October. The Australian Signals Directorate issued a rare critical alert, and at least one Australian web host has restricted some file uploads, so website forms that take attachments may stop working.

What it means for you: Ask your web host to confirm in writing that your site runs PHP 8.2.35, 8.3.36, 8.4.27, 8.5.12 or later, and ask whether they've applied PHP's 23 October advice on session upload progress. Then send a test enquiry through your own quote form, with a photo attached, to make sure leads still come through.

Source: ABC News and PHP.net

A new AI assistant that checks in on your day

Anthropic has announced Claude Duet, an app that sends a morning summary of what needs your attention and checks your connected accounts every few hours. It can also handle tasks like scheduling meetings, but it must ask for your approval before it sends a message, makes a payment, signs a document or deletes anything. For now it's a waitlisted preview for some paid US subscribers.

What it means for you: It's not available in Australia yet, but it shows where office admin help is heading. Whatever tool you use, keep a human sign-off on anything that goes to customers or touches money.

Source: Claude

AI agents are starting to shop with spending limits

US retailer Walmart has announced tools that let customers send AI agents to shop for them. Each agent gets its own sub-account, and customers can approve every order or set limits of US$50, US$100 or US$200. The feature is due to launch within the next month.

What it means for you: One day, customers may ask an AI assistant to find and book a tradie within a set budget. Clear pricing and easy online booking will help you get picked.

Source: Retail Insight Network

The bottom line

AI is helping small businesses get more done, but the same tech is also speeding up online attacks. Hand one admin job to AI this month, and make sure your website is patched today.

Too busy on the tools to answer the phone? Nexus Agency answers your calls, books jobs and chases invoices. See how it works.