The National AI Adoption Programme for SMEs is a government programme for small and medium-sized businesses in Scotland. In its first year it had a budget of £1m and around 1,000 businesses took part. For the second year the government has allocated £1.8m.
The programme offers support and grants at three stages: identifying uses for AI in the business, planning implementation, and developing and testing a solution. Information about the programme is published by AI Scotland, an initiative involving The Data Lab, Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Business Gateway and South of Scotland Enterprise, among others.
The aiscotland.scot website states that support in the new round will be available soon. Grant amounts and application dates have not yet been published.
Editorial comment
This is one of the few programmes that responds to a real problem for small businesses: they know AI can help but don’t know where to start or how much it costs. The value lies not in the grant itself but in an orderly process: from idea, through plan, to test. Polish businesses in Scotland that are registered and trading locally can use it just like any others. Those who come with a specific problem rather than a general “we want AI” will gain the most.
What to do
- Check the aiscotland.scot website regularly – that is where the application round will be announced.
- List the three tasks in your business that take the most time: quotes, invoices, replies to customers, rotas. These are ready-made topics for an application.
- Calculate how many hours a month these tasks cost. Numbers strengthen an application.
- Contact your local Business Gateway. Advice is free and helps check whether your business is eligible.
- Check what customer data you process. Any AI implementation must comply with UK GDPR.
Sources
Original editorial content by The Business Time, based on the sources listed. Illustrative photo.
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