Cover image by Janet Turra & Digit / Entry Level / Licenced by CC-BY 4.0

Helping business leaders to explore AI trends, risks, and benefits

This workshop focuses on building awareness and leadership capacity around adopting AI in order to gain economic advantages such as developing new products or services, growing market share, attracting investment or increasing sales.

Offering a foundational overview of what AI is, content is aimed at business leaders, owners, and senior managers.  Sessions are interactive and delivered both online and in-person. Participants will develop an understanding of AI, benefits and opportunities within a business setting, and an awareness of potential next steps through the AI Adoption Framework.   

These briefings are delivered by The Data Lab Academy’s professional development team and offer informal and interactive online sessions which cover:  

• Understanding AI – including the current landscape, definitions and types of AI, the importance of data quality, and practical business opportunities 
• AI trends in business – how businesses are leveraging AI, the skills leaders need, potential risks, and current case studies
• Questions and next steps   

How do I join?

Please complete our short application form. There is a limit of two participants per organisation at each session, we will review all applications and respond within five working days to offer a place or to put you on our waiting list.  

Briefing sessions are an hour and are delivered online on the following dates: 

• Tuesday 21 October 2025: 12:00-13:00  
• Wednesday 19 November 2025: 10:00-11:00  
• Monday 1 December 2025: 10:00-11:00   

Submit an application by completing the form below:

Who is it for?

This session is suitable for senior managers, owners and directors in small- to medium-sized businesses or social enterprises in Scotland.  

• Briefing sessions are open to private, third sector, and charitable organisations that meet the criteria of an SME as defined by the Scottish Government: micro (fewer than 10 employees), small (fewer than 50 employees) and medium-sized (not more than 250 employees) businesses.  
• Where applicable, priority will be given to facilitating rural SMEs, SMEs owned, operated, or serving marginalised communities, and organisations in foundational economies/traditional sectors.  
• Suitable for SMEs at Stage 1 of the AI Adoption Framework. Organisations at this stage may be “non-digital or early-stage companies with little or no data infrastructure”.  

How will I benefit?

After participating in the briefing session, you will be able to:  

• Demonstrate an understanding of AI and its opportunities; and have an awareness of potential next steps through The AI Adoption Framework.     
• Have a foundational overview of what AI is and outline its potential uses for SMEs.  
• Understand current AI trends in Scotland and the potential risks of AI. 
• Identify potential opportunities for AI within your business.   

How much does it cost? 

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

How much time is involved? 

The session is approximately one hour.  

National AI Adoption Programme for SMEs

This support programme is delivered in partnership with Scottish Enterprise, The Data Lab, Scottish AI Alliance, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, and South of Scotland Enterprise. Other opportunities available to eligible businesses and social enterprises, including grant funding and targeted training and support, can be found on Find Business Support.  

To find out more about the programme and access other support visit Find Business Support:

Find Business Support | National AI Adoption Programme

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