For business
AI Adoption Support
National Al Adoption Programme for SMEs
Helping Scottish companies seize the benefits of artificial intelligence (AI) and accelerate productivity.
Funded by the Scottish Government, the AI adoption support programme offers small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) a range of opportunities to implement or expand the use of AI in their business in order to develop new products and services, grow market share and attract new investment.
If you’d like us to notify you when these are available, please use the form below to register interest. You can also follow us on LinkedIn and subscribe to our newsletter for upcoming details.
Programme delivery partners
Adoption support is delivered in partnership with Scottish Enterprise, The Data Lab, Scottish AI Alliance, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, and South of Scotland Enterprise. A new round of opportunities will be available shortly.
Activities and available support from the delivery partners can be found on Find Business Support.
Find Business Support | National AI Adoption Programme
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.
Please visit Find Business Support for more opportunities in the programme: