Government funding announced to trial uses of AI suited for small businesses

120 projects will receive a share of £7 million in UK Government funding, that will test AI tech applications for small businesses in sectors including agriculture, transport, and construction.

Small businesses across the country will be helped to boost their productivity and efficiency through AI tools set to be trialled. Projects being tested include using AI to cut food waste through improved sales forecasting, an AI model that anticipates where mould growth is most likely to grow and allow remediations to be made, and an AI tool to predict where potholes will form and enabling swifter and cheaper repairs.

AI is set to be the defining technology of the 21st Century. It is already boosting businesses’ productivity and overhauling public services like healthcare and education. This latest government action aims to help Britain’s small businesses and embrace AI, so they can be more productive and competitive, and to drive economic growth.

Science and Technology Secretary Peter Kyle said:

“Putting AI to work right across the economy can help businesses cut waste, move faster and be more productive.

“The huge range of projects receiving funding today, from farmers and bakers to those tackling potholes on our roads and mould in residential properties, demonstrates the truly limitless benefits of AI that are there for the taking.“

The funding forms part of the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Technology Missions Fund, with the support being delivered by the Innovate UK BridgeAI programme.

This announcement builds on the AI Opportunities Action Plan, which sets out the Government’s vision to ramp up the adoption of AI across the economy. The Plan is a roadmap to spread AI adoption across every part of the UK, help boost living standards, create jobs and unleash economic growth.

Dr Kedar Pandya, UKRI Technology Missions Fund Senior Responsible Owner and Executive Director of Cross-Council programme at UKRI’s Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, said:

“Today’s investment, funded through UKRI’s Technology Missions Fund, is a major boost to the BridgeAI’s target sectors where the adoption of AI technologies could help to improve productivity and efficiency.

“UKRI is in a unique position to bring together businesses and research organisations across a wide range of sectors to discover where AI can make the most difference to people’s lives and the UK economy.“

Esra Kasapoglu, Director of AI & Data Economy at UKRI-Innovate UK said:

“The adoption of AI in UK industry is fundamental to supporting the country’s economic growth. Today’s investment will enable us, through BridgeAI, to help more companies to unlock the potential of AI in their business.

“It will also allow further development of projects already demonstrating impact to continue their AI journey.“