Manchester, England – Alan Price, CEO of BrightHR, has welcomed the Government’s AI Opportunities Action Plan and its announcement of over 100 AI trials aimed at boosting productivity for small businesses. While praising this as a positive step, Price stresses that SMEs will need a clear roadmap and tailored support from the Government to implement AI safely, address key risks, and unlock its full potential.
“It’s encouraging to see the Government prioritising AI adoption among SMEs, particularly with the announcement today of over 100 AI trials aimed at harnessing AI to boost small business productivity” Price says. “The AI Opportunities Action Plan is a welcome step towards a more progressive and innovative attitude towards AI in the UK; one that I hope will encourage more small businesses across the country to overcome their fears about AI and start adopting it more widely to support growth.
“AI has transformative potential to automate routine tasks, improve operational efficiency, and drive growth. However, many small businesses, including many of the over 85,000 that BrightHR supports in the UK, remain hesitant to embrace it due to concerns about cybersecurity, intellectual property (IP) loss, and the potential for error.”
A recent survey by the Peninsula Group, of which BrightHR is a part, highlights this hesitancy: Only 1 in 10 SMEs globally use AI regularly, despite 1 in 3 acknowledging its potential to transform their business. In the UK, 1 in 4 SMEs worry about IP loss from AI tools, a sharp rise from 1 in 20 in 2023. 40% of UK SMEs are concerned about AI-related errors, up from 14% in 2023.
“While these risks are valid, they are manageable with proper policies and data governance,” Price explains. “Small businesses must not let these challenges overshadow the extensive and well-documented benefits of AI adoption, which include boosting efficiency, improving employee experiences, expanding customer reach, and, ultimately, optimising profits.
The AI Opportunities Action Plan outlines promising initiatives, such as creating AI growth zones, supporting startups, and introducing sector champions to drive adoption in key industries. However, Price cautions that SMEs will need tailored support to implement AI effectively. “Without a concerted effort to provide SMEs with a clear, actionable roadmap, these benefits may not trickle down to small businesses,” he warned.
“Government-backed AI trials show a clear commitment to help small businesses overcome barriers. However, AI adoption among small businesses will still take time, and the Government and larger enterprises must lead the way in demonstrating best practices and empowering SMEs to adopt AI securely and strategically. Nevertheless, the AI Opportunities Action Plan is a powerful first step in the right direction.”
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