Square launches AI sidekick for UK small business owners

Square has launched a new AI-powered assistant for UK small businesses, giving merchants automated insights based on their payment and sales data.

The built-in tool analyses transaction history, customer behaviour and performance trends to provide practical, plain-English guidance on issues such as cash flow, peak trading times, inventory planning and growth opportunities. The assistant is designed to help owners make faster, better-informed decisions without needing specialist financial or data expertise.

Square says the AI sidekick is available at no extra cost to UK merchants using its platform, positioning it as an accessible productivity tool for micro-businesses and SMEs facing time and skills pressures.

The move reflects a broader trend of AI adoption among SMEs, with technology providers increasingly embedding AI directly into everyday business tools rather than offering standalone products. For many small firms, this approach lowers the barrier to using AI and turns existing business data into actionable insight.

Industry observers note that tools like this could help SMEs improve efficiency and resilience at a time when many are dealing with rising costs, tighter margins and increased competition.