The Data Lab

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For business

From Foundation to Implementation: Getting SME Leaders Ready for AI

Fully funded facilitated learning to move from exploration to confident action on AI

This facilitated training course gives you the confidence and practical tools – including a 90-day action plan – to start adopting AI responsibly in your business. 

Engage in a transformative learning experience that sets you on a path from foundational knowledge to actionable business applications and supports organisations to move from early interest in AI to practical, responsible action and adoption.

Submit an application

Who it’s for

SME owners, C-suite leaders, directors and senior managers who are ready to apply AI in their business. 

How it works

  • Join a cohort of SME leaders to complete the facilitated learning of 10 to 12 hours spread over four weeks.
  • Offering both live online and in-person sessions, choose from a variety of dates and formats to suit your needs.
  • The course will develop your practical capabilities in applying AI responsibly, helping you to assess the opportunities of AI for your business, as well as practical tools and organisational readiness to adopt or pilot activities.
  • This course will run five times from October 2026 to March 2027
  • The self-paced, introductory online 1-hour module ‘AI Essentials’ will be available three weeks before the start date

How you’ll benefit

After participating in the course, you will leave with practical tools to support AI action, including:  

  • An AI opportunity map,
  • A simple organisational readiness review,
  • A lightweight AI governance and responsible use checklist, and
  • A 90-day action plan for adoption or pilot activity. 

How to apply

Please complete our short application form to take part.

Submit an application by completing the form below:

Cost

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

Please note this funded support is provided as Minimal Financial Assistance (MFA) in accordance with the Subsidy Control Act 2022. Applicants will be required to confirm that receipt of the funded support will not cause them to exceed the statutory MFA limit of £315,000 over the applicable three-year period.

Duration

The course involves 10 to 12 hours of learning spread over four weeks.  

Next steps

Once you have completed the course, you’ll be able to progress from AI adoption to scoping a transformational AI project and be signposted to further AI adoption support.

AI Leadership Academy | National AI Adoption Programme for SMEs

This course is part of the AI Leadership Academy. Designed for non-technical SME leaders, including CEOs and C-suite executives, The AI Leadership Academy is a key initiative under Scotland’s AI Strategy (2026–2031), delivered via AI Scotland and enterprise partners. 

This support programme is funded by the Scottish Government and delivered in partnership with Scottish Enterprise.

To access support offered by Scottish Enterprise, visit their website:

Strategic Leadership for AI, Data and Technology | Scottish Enterprise

The programme is funded by the Scottish Government and will run until 31st March 2027.