San Antonio should incentivize hiring people over AI. Here’s how.

The author, a small business owner in San Antonio, observes a significant shift in the use of artificial intelligence in their industry, from press releases to website development.
The majority of small businesses are expected to stop hiring firms for web design in favor of AI-driven platforms by 2029, due to faster turnaround times and lower costs.
While these advancements provide tangible benefits, they could undermine the unique qualities and expertise that small human-run businesses offer.
McKinsey reports that 92% of businesses plan to invest in generative AI within the next three years, which poses a risk to small businesses due to potential cost reductions and availability of machine-driven platforms.
The city’s approach to awarding procurement contracts may need to change to protect small local businesses from being undercut by machine-driven competitors.
The proposed solution is to introduce “human points” in the procurement process, giving additional evaluation points to firms that rely primarily on human professionals for their work.
The aim is to ensure that public funds support the continued existence of human-based, small local businesses which contribute significantly to community identity, trust, and local economic growth.
By valuing human work over machine-generated products, the city can make a strong statement about the importance it places on its small business community and local workers.