In a February 24, 2026 release on the Cox Business website, Gene Marks—Forbes columnist and small‑business consultant—unveiled The AI Business Playbook, a practical guide designed to help owners of small and mid‑size companies decide where to invest in artificial intelligence.

Marks’ new playbook draws on his habit of publishing six to eight Forbes columns a month about AI and on years of consulting with entrepreneurs. "What we really want is to know what’s hype, and what’s reality," he writes, underscoring his goal of cutting through the noise that surrounds AI. The book offers a framework for owners who feel the pressure to adopt new tools but are unsure where to begin.

A key reference point is a 2025 MIT study that found 95 % of generative‑AI pilot projects in large corporations failed to deliver a measurable return on investment. The State of AI in Business 2025 report surveyed a broad range of enterprises and concluded that most pilots did not produce tangible benefits. According to Marks, the high failure rate among big companies creates an opportunity for smaller firms. "Let the big guys make their mistakes so they can toss away their money," he says. "Once they figure out how AI is really working, different things will trickle down to us as well."

Integration sits at the heart of the playbook. Marks advises owners to plug AI tools into the data and workflows they already use—accounting systems, CRM platforms, cloud file storage, and the like. Platforms such as Claude, ChatGPT, Copilot, and Gemini can be connected directly to these systems, turning a general‑purpose chatbot into one that understands a business’s specific operations. "The one takeaway is, you’ve got to connect your chatbots into your data," Marks notes.

For businesses that rely on Microsoft Office, the guide spotlights Microsoft’s Copilot AI agent. Marks recommends a modest investment in training—a few hundred dollars for a trainer sourced through LinkedIn—to unlock Copilot’s full potential within existing workflows.

The playbook also tackles the broader concern that AI may displace jobs. Marks frames the issue as part of a historical pattern: technology has always eliminated certain roles while creating new ones. He cites examples of job titles that did not exist 20 years ago, such as cannabis compliance officer and social media manager, to illustrate how new opportunities arise. While acknowledging that some positions may become redundant, Marks emphasizes that AI can enable businesses to accomplish more with the same number of employees, potentially increasing profits.

Cox Business’ press release describes the playbook as a resource that includes exclusive insights from Cox Business executives and actionable strategies for implementation. The release follows a broader trend of small‑business owners seeking clear, evidence‑based advice on AI adoption.

In short, The AI Business Playbook offers a concise, data‑driven approach to AI for small‑business owners. It encourages targeted investments that connect AI to existing data, highlights the importance of integration, and frames AI adoption as a way to improve efficiency rather than a threat to jobs. The book is available for download on the Cox Business website and aims to help owners make informed decisions about which AI tools to adopt.

The playbook’s release comes at a time when many small businesses are ready to experiment with AI but lack clear guidance. With the MIT study underscoring the high failure rate of large‑company pilots, the playbook’s focus on integration and practical application may provide a useful roadmap for businesses that want to avoid costly mistakes and realize tangible benefits from AI.