New alliance to put AI SMEs at the centre of national strategy
The Business AI Alliance, spearheaded by 4most, was launched on the 9th September at a Parliamentary Reception. The new alliance brings together sector-based organisations committed to shaping national AI policy with a focus on growth and influence, providing much needed SME representation in the face of big tech dominance and aspiring to a clear, positive narrative around AI’s economic potential for the UK.
Early members include leading banks, technology companies, and universities, including founding organisations such as 4most, University of Glasgow, Inference Group, 51degrees, CreateFuture, IOA Foundation, Intriq, Automated Analytics, and many more. Using SME success stories around AI adoption as a foundation, the Alliance members will support wider SMEs in making the most of this new technology, alongside providing them a voice in public policy.
The group’s initial focus is to shape a credible, strategic narrative around AI’s economic potential and to ensure the UK’s 3,000+ AI-focused SMEs are properly represented in government and industry discussions. While still at an early stage, the Alliance is driven by aspiration, hope and honesty to achieve change quickly, believing in the potential of AI but with clear understanding of the challenges currently facing SMEs.
Colin Carmichael, Client Partner at 4most and founding member, said: “AI will define the next chapter of the UK economy, but too often the people who actually design, build, and deliver it aren’t in the room when strategy is set; The UK’s AI SMEs are experts, yet their perspectives are frequently overshadowed by larger corporate voices. Added to this, almost 90% of AI businesses expect revenue growth in the next 12 months, yet more than half say limited investment is holding them back.
“The Business AI Alliance is set to change this. Bringing together the country’s most capable AI minds, the alliance will influence policy, champion growth, and create the conditions for a thriving, competitive AI sector.”
Lord Kulveer Ranger, Conservative Life Peer said: “The UK’s small and medium-sized enterprises are the backbone of our economy, and they must be at the forefront of the AI revolution. I welcome and support the formation of the Business AI Alliance, which can give these firms a powerful voice, helping them to collaborate, innovate and scale responsibly. By uniting entrepreneurs, industry, and policymakers, it can ensure the UK not only develops world-class AI, but also creates the right conditions for our SMEs to thrive and compete globally.”
Gordon Baggott, Chief Data Scientist at Smart Data Foundry, said: “I co-founded the Business AI Alliance as a reaction to UK SMEs being a powerful but unheard force in AI. As the community has grown into an influential, diverse, collaborative team of experts, I see how our collective voice is increasingly influencing policymakers to support UK AI focused SMEs. The Business AI Alliance provides a unique platform for AI experts to ensure the UK can become a global centre for AI focused growth.”
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