The Institute of Analytics’ Director of Education, Dr Clare Walsh, is keynote speaker alongside Piers Linney, renowned entrepreneur and former investor on BBC’s Dragons’ Den. Her talk, entitled Small But Mighty: Empowering SMEs with Data Democracy, looks at five steps to democratise data and data analytics as well as what SMEs can do immediately to begin their data-driven journey.

Commenting on her involvement, Dr Clare Walsh emphasised the importance of SMEs adopting AI: “AI is no longer a technology limited to large corporations. SMEs must embrace AI if they want to remain competitive in today’s fast-paced market. With AI tools now more accessible and affordable than ever, small businesses can use them to gain insights into how they can immediately improve their business model without having to break the bank.

“A recent report by Microsoft in 2024 highlights that almost half (47%) of UK SMEs have yet to adopt AI tools, despite the significant opportunities it presents. The same report projects that AI could contribute £550 billion to the UK economy by 2035, underscoring the potential economic impact if more businesses integrate AI into their operations. However, 31% of SMEs are also lagging in adopting basic digital infrastructure like cloud computing, indicating broader challenges with technology adoption among smaller firms. This conference is about providing them with the roadmap to get started and the support they need to succeed.”

Piers Linney will offer his unique perspective on the role of AI in levelling the playing field for SMEs, while interactive workshops will guide participants through practical AI adoption strategies.

Additional experts will be sharing insights on how SMEs can harness AI to drive growth, streamline operations and enhance customer engagement. Themes covered will include:

• AI Adoption Strategies for SME Success
• Optimising SME Operations and Cost Savings with AI Automation
• AI-Enhanced Customer Engagement for SME Growth
• AI-Driven Insights for SME Decision-Making and Growth
• Ethical AI Practices and Responsible AI Implementation for SMEs
• Roadmapping: Integrating AI into Your Business and Technology Strategy

Speaking on behalf of the organisers of AI Transform, James Cheriton said: “We’re excited to launch AI Transform on the 23rd October, an annual conference dedicated to helping businesses learn about and integrate AI solutions into their everyday practices. Whether you're new to AI or looking to expand your knowledge, our conference offers valuable insights from industry experts that will use real world experience to help bridge the gaps and help businesses grow with AI Integration.”

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