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15 January 2025

AI Tools Trial to Boost Productivity for Small Businesses


More than 100 projects will receive a share of £7 million enabling them to test AI tech that could give a boost to a range of sectors. 

The UK Government funding aims to focus on how AI could help smaller companies tackle pressing challenges to their businesses, and how researchers can use this tech to take on everyday problems.

Projects include:

  • Using AI to cut food waste – and thereby protect profit margins – at a bakery by accurately predicting sales and forecasting how much of each product needs to be made daily.
  • Road-testing an AI tool that can predict potholes before they form, so roads can be repaired earlier and more cheaply, and before they cause expensive damage to vehicles.
  • Trialling an AI model that anticipates where mould is likely to grow in buildings, so they can be remediated before they become a health and safety issue.

Science and Technology Secretary Peter Kyle said:

“Putting AI to work right across the economy can help businesses cut waste, move faster and be more productive.

 

“The huge range of projects receiving funding, from farmers and bakers to those tackling potholes on our roads and mould in residential properties, demonstrates the truly limitless benefits of AI that are there for the taking.”

The funding forms part of the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) Technology Missions Fund, with the support being delivered by the Innovate UK BridgeAI programme.

This announcement builds on the AI Opportunities Action Plan, which sets out the UK Government’s vision to ramp up the adoption of AI right across the economy. 

Dr Kedar Pandya, UKRI Technology Missions Fund Senior Responsible Owner and Executive Director of Cross-Council programme at UKRI’s Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, said:

“This investment, funded through UKRI’s Technology Missions Fund, is a major boost to the BridgeAI’s target sectors where the adoption of AI technologies could help to improve productivity and efficiency.

 

“UKRI is in a unique position to bring together businesses and research organisations across a wide range of sectors to discover where AI can make the most difference to people’s lives and the UK economy.”

Esra Kasapoglu, Director of AI & Data Economy at UKRI-Innovate UK, said:

“The adoption of AI in UK industry is fundamental to supporting the country’s economic growth.  Today’s investment will enable us, through BridgeAI, to help more companies to unlock the potential of AI in their business.

 

“It will also allow further development of projects already demonstrating impact to continue their AI journey.”



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