The Data Lab

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For business

AI Adoption Support

National Al Adoption Programme for SMEs

The Scottish Government is funding a new programme to help Scottish companies seize the benefits of artificial intelligence (AI).

Supported by nearly £1 million of Scottish Government funding, the programme offers small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) a range of support – including tailored consultancy services and grants – to introduce or expand the use of AI in order to develop new products and services, grow market share and attract new investment.

The programme is delivered in partnership by Scottish Enterprise, The Data Lab, Scottish AI Alliance, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, and South of Scotland Enterprise. The partners support businesses through various opportunities available to eligible companies and social enterprises, including grant funding and targeted training and support.

Access The Data Lab support 

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So, You’re Thinking of Using AI: Workshop

Move from awareness of AI through to creating an action plan for your first steps into AI adoption in your business with this 90-minute workshop. 

Find out more
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An introduction to AI and its opportunities: Executive briefing

For leaders and senior managers, build awareness and leadership capacity around adopting AI in your business or organisation.

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Data and AI transformation for SMEs: Course

Assess AI readiness, identify opportunities, and build responsible, strategic data and AI roadmaps aligned with your organisational and business goals. 

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Upskill for an AI-ready future: Workshop

Prepare your team for an AI-driven future by assessing skills, identifying gaps, and planning upskilling using The Data & AI Skills Framework (2025).  

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Hands-on data and AI for SMEs: Project support

Fully funded support for Scottish manufacturing SMEs to find hidden efficiencies, cut costs, and build confidence with data and AI through short, low-risk, high-impact projects.  

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Support for SMEs

The programme supports businesses at different stages of AI adoption through tailored interventions. Activities within the programme include:

  • Courses focused on building awareness and leadership for adopting AI.
  • Grant support for exploring and understanding the feasibility of using AI in your business.
  • Roadshows and events across Scotland’s rural regions to connect rural businesses with the opportunities of using AI.
  • Hands-on support from data scientists at The Data Lab to build an AI project, for key manufacturing sector businesses and businesses demonstrating high growth potential. 
  • Support to develop an AI adoption project within your business or organisation.

Activities and available support from the delivery partners, Scottish Enterprise, Scottish AI Alliance, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, and South of Scotland Enterprise, can be found on Find Business Support.

Find Business Support | National AI Adoption Programme

The programme is funded by the Scottish Government and will run until 31st March 2026.

Who is eligible?

This support is for small—to medium-sized businesses or social enterprises in Scotland that are interested in adopting artificial intelligence (AI). Interventions are offered at a range of levels and readiness.

How much does it cost?

The Scottish Government fully funds the support provided through this programme, so businesses or social enterprises can access it for free.

Who is this for?

Small and medium-sized businesses and social enterprises in Scotland.

What is an SME?

An SME is defined by the Scottish Government as: micro (fewer than 10 employees, annual turnover under £2m), small (fewer than 50 employees, annual turnover under £10m), and medium-sized (not more than 250 employees, annual turnover under £50) businesses.

What is the time commitment?

Different types of support are available, and the amount of time required for each will vary. Find out more about the support we offer above.

What are the stages of AI readiness?

We have developed an AI readiness scale to help you understand what level your business or organisation is at and what support or activities will suit you best.

Stage 1: Awareness and inspiration – An early-stage organisation with little or no understanding of AI; skeptical or unsure of how it can create value.

Stage 2: Strategy and readiness – a digitally aware organisation or team, but lacks data structure or AI literacy; exploring opportunities.

Stage 3: Building skills and capacity – “AI curious” organisation with some data but limited expertise; needs skills and leadership support.

Stage 4: Tools, prototyping and experimentation – data-mature organisation, testing ideas with proofs of concept or pilot tools.

Stage 5: Responsible adoption and scaling – an organisation embedding AI at scale while tackling governance, ethics, and compliance and investing in skills and talent.

Access support from The Data Lab

Opportunities offered by The Data Lab include:

  1. So, You’re Thinking of Using AI workshop
    Introductory, practical knowledge in the use and application of AI tools, strategy, governance, ethics, and risk management and best practice. This is suitable for organisations at Stage 1 of the above readiness scale.

  2. Executive briefing for senior leaders and managers
    An introduction to AI and its opportunities to help business leaders and managers explore AI trends, risks, and benefits, and understand AI’s impact on society, organisations, and their own operations. This is suitable for organisations at Stage 1 of the above readiness scale.

  3. Data and AI Transformation course for SMEs
    Data and AI leadership training focused on developing a strategy for AI adoption. This is suitable for organisations at Stage 2 of the above readiness scale.

  4. Upskill for an AI-ready future workshop
    Prepare teams for an AI-driven future using The Data Lab’s Data & AI Skills Framework (2025). Explore how to assess the current skills landscape, identify gaps, and develop upskilling and reskilling pathways that keep pace with fast-moving AI technology. This is suitable for organisations at Stage 3 of the above readiness scale.

  5. Hands-on data and AI support for manufacturing SMEs
    One-to-one support, sandpit, and advice for an AI project for your business. This is suitable for organisations at Stage 4 of the above readiness scale.

  6. AI Roadshows and events
    For Scotland’s rural businesses and organisations, through partners Highlands & Islands Enterprise and South of Scotland Enterprise.

Please visit Find Business Support for more opportunities in the programme:

Find Business Support | National AI Adoption Programme