UK SMEs Get AI Boost: Google’s Nationwide Innovation Tour

Google, in collaboration with the Department for Business and Trade, has launched the “AI Works for Business” tour, a nationwide initiative designed to empower UK Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) by integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) into their operations. This program aims to boost productivity and foster innovation among business leaders, providing practical, hands-on training sessions that demystify AI and showcase its tangible benefits for everyday business challenges.

The core benefit of this comprehensive program is its direct contribution to addressing the UK's long-standing productivity gap, positioning AI as a crucial tool for economic growth and competitiveness. SMEs will learn how to leverage AI to automate tasks, optimize processes, and unlock new opportunities, leading to significant time and cost savings. Google experts guide participants through various AI applications, including those embedded within Google Workspace, such as the “Help me write,” “Help me organize,” and “Help me visualize” features, alongside the advanced capabilities of Gemini. The initiative seeks to equip businesses with the skills to identify and implement AI solutions tailored to their specific needs, thereby boosting their competitiveness and fostering a culture of innovation.

The tour is strategically visiting eight major cities across the UK: Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Leeds, Cardiff, Belfast, Bristol, and London, ensuring broad accessibility for SMEs nationwide. These events offer a unique platform for business leaders to connect with Google AI specialists, network with peers, and gain insights into real-world AI success stories. While the article primarily highlights the extensive benefits and opportunities, it implicitly suggests that the primary “risk” for businesses is *not* embracing AI, thereby falling behind competitors. By providing accessible training and expert guidance, Google aims to mitigate this risk, enabling SMEs to confidently adopt AI and drive future growth, underscoring its commitment to supporting the UK's digital economy.

(Source: https://blog.google/around-the-globe/google-europe/united-kingdom/google-is-going-on-a-nationwide-tour-to-supercharge-british-small-business-innovation/)