AI upskilling: the key to keeping small businesses competitive
Author: Laurence Glen | Date published: January, 3, 2025, UK | Read est: 5 min read
Artificial intelligence (AI) has quickly become the backbone of modern innovation, powering everything from customer service chatbots to advanced medical diagnoses. But while large corporations have been quick to adopt this transformative technology, small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) risk being left behind. With AI evolving at lightning speed, upskilling the population—particularly small business owners—is essential to ensure no one is left out of the AI-driven future.
This blog explores the importance of AI upskilling, highlights the efforts of tech giants like Microsoft and governments around the world, and offers practical advice for small businesses looking to embrace AI without feeling overwhelmed.
Why AI upskilling matters now more than ever
AI has been described as the “electricity of our age,” driving innovation and economic growth across every sector. Since the launch of tools like ChatGPT in 2022, AI adoption has surged, with businesses leveraging its potential to improve productivity, reduce costs, and create entirely new opportunities.
However, there’s a significant gap in adoption rates between large corporations and SMEs. While many large businesses have dedicated resources to exploring AI, SMEs—which make up 99.8% of the UK business population—often lack the resources, expertise, or confidence to integrate AI into their operations.
Upskilling business owners and employees is the bridge to closing this gap. By equipping smaller businesses with the knowledge and tools to leverage AI, we can ensure they remain competitive in an increasingly tech-driven world.
Microsoft’s commitment to ai upskilling
Tech giant Microsoft has taken a proactive approach to AI adoption, not just by advancing its own AI models but also by empowering others to use them effectively. The company recently announced a staggering $80 billion investment in training AI models and deploying AI and cloud-based applications. But Microsoft’s efforts don’t stop at technological advancements—they’re also deeply committed to upskilling the workforce.
Programs like the Microsoft AI course aim to make AI accessible to everyone, from entrepreneurs to established professionals. These initiatives integrate AI training into educational curricula and provide resources for on-the-job learning. By offering tailored support, Microsoft enables businesses to adopt AI without fear of complexity or failure.
The impact is clear: AI upskilling isn’t just about learning a new tool; it’s about unlocking opportunities, boosting productivity, and fostering innovation across industries.
The UK’s plan to become an AI superpower
Closer to home, the UK government is doubling down on its ambition to position the country as a global AI leader. Backed by £14 billion in private sector commitments, the AI Opportunities Action Plan focuses on leveraging AI for economic growth and improved public services.
Initiatives like growth zones and skills programs are designed to ensure workers and business leaders can harness AI’s potential. This includes SMEs, which are vital to the UK economy yet often overlooked in broader digital transformation efforts.
From using AI to speed up NHS diagnoses to helping public sector workers spend less time on admin, the government’s pivot toward AI emphasizes the need for practical, people-focused applications. For SMEs, this represents a golden opportunity to embrace AI and thrive in the future economy.
The benefits of AI for small businesses
AI isn’t just for tech giants—it can deliver real value to small businesses in many ways:
- Customer Service: Implement AI chatbots to handle inquiries around the clock.
- Marketing: Use AI to analyze customer behavior and create hyper-targeted marketing campaigns.
- Operations: Automate repetitive tasks like payroll or inventory tracking.
- Decision-Making: Leverage AI-powered analytics to uncover trends and make informed decisions.
The potential benefits are endless, but they hinge on one key factor: accessible training programs to ensure business leaders can confidently use these tools.
Warnings: balancing AI progress with caution
While the excitement around AI is justified, it’s important to proceed with care. The UK government and other global leaders must address two critical issues as AI adoption accelerates:
1. Safety and Ethical Concerns
Rushing ahead with AI without proper oversight risks creating problems like:
- Job Displacement: Without reskilling programs, workers could be left behind.
- Bias in AI Models: If not properly managed, AI could reinforce or amplify existing biases.
- Ethical Dilemmas: The use of AI in decision-making must be transparent and fair.
- Regulation and accountability are crucial to ensuring AI benefits everyone, not just the tech-savvy elite.
2. Environmental Impact
Training and running large AI models require vast amounts of energy. This raises questions about sustainability, especially as companies and governments push for greener practices. Moving forward, AI development must incorporate green technology and energy-efficient solutions to minimize its carbon footprint.
How to start your ai upskilling journey
For small business owners ready to embrace AI, the first steps don’t have to be daunting:
- Enroll in Training Programs: Explore resources like the government-led workshops.
- Start Small: Experiment with simple AI tools, such as installing Microsoft co-pilot or automated scheduling systems, to build confidence.
- Get inspired: Read blogs and watch videos of how other business owners have chosen to adopt AI
Closing the AI gap together
The rapid rise of AI is both a challenge and an opportunity. By investing in AI upskilling, we can ensure that small businesses remain competitive, innovative, and ready for the future. Governments, tech companies, and business leaders share the responsibility of making AI accessible, safe, and sustainable.
Don’t wait for the future to catch up—start your AI upskilling journey today. Together, we can embrace a technology-driven world that works for everyone.
Laurence Glen
IT Director
Our IT world, together with the ongoing development of this business-critical portfolio of services, is in very capable hands with Laurence at the helm. IBM-trained and with a 22-year track record of proven success in the IT sector ensures Laurence is perfectly placed to lead the overall IT strategy for Focus Group, ensuring we’re at the forefront of product development and service innovations in order to deliver the best possible IT technologies for our customers.
