The widespread adoption of digitization and the utilization of Artificial Intelligence (AI) have seen a significant increase in different fields, presenting both advantageous opportunities and severe challenges. The problem of gender disparities in science is a subject of intense debate among experts and the scientific community. The objective of the study described in this article is to identify the factors that influence students’ attitudes and perceptions of AI tools and applications for small businesses. In addition, this paper will investigate the relationship between gender and the perceptions and utilization of artificial intelligence. The findings of the study, derived from a sample size of 559 college students enrolled in the College of Business Studies in Kuwait (CBS), provide valuable insights into how students perceive AI technologies in the specific context of small businesses. The utilization of quantitative analysis in this research facilitated a thorough examination of students’ perspectives. The survey reveals a nuanced viewpoint among participants regarding opportunities and challenges associated with the implementation of AI. Participants exhibited a diverse array of perspectives on the topic. Nevertheless, the investigation produced findings that were in direct opposition to the research hypothesis. The findings suggest that there is no significant difference between genders regarding the level of significance.