Bridging the AI Gap for Micro and Small Businesses in the UK and Ireland
AI for Every Business is a three-year initiative designed to empower micro and small businesses across the UK and Ireland with practical guidance to adopt artificial intelligence (AI) tools effectively and securely. Supported by a $2 million (£1.487 million) grant from the Visa Foundation, the programme aims to provide free, tailored support to over 157,000 small businesses, helping them harness the benefits of AI to boost productivity, growth, and resilience.
The programme offers a diverse range of resources, including practical videos, webinars, and regional events, alongside personalised assessments and learning pathways. A select group of entrepreneurs will receive more intensive assistance such as coaching, peer learning opportunities, and one-to-one mentorship, enabling them to implement AI tools confidently and strategically in their operations.
Addressing the Digital Divide in Small Business AI Adoption
The launch of AI for Every Business arrives amid growing concerns about digital adoption disparities among small businesses. According to the Enterprise Nation Tech Hub report, ‘Digital and AI Adoption among UK SMEs: The State of Play in 2026’, only 21% of small businesses in the UK regularly use AI tools, highlighting a significant adoption gap.
Trust remains a major barrier: nearly half (46%) of small business owners express skepticism towards AI tools, while 42% indicated they would only engage with AI if it were completely free. These findings illustrate the hesitancy and resource constraints many small businesses face when considering AI integration.
The report also reveals a notable gender disparity in AI adoption and trust:
- 29% of female decision-makers stated their business has no plans to adopt AI, compared with 23% of male decision-makers.
- 51% of female decision-makers reported lacking sufficient trust in AI to use it, versus 41% of male decision-makers.
- Women-owned businesses have an AI adoption rate of 17%, trailing the 20% adoption rate of male-owned businesses.
These statistics underscore the importance of targeted support to ensure that underserved entrepreneurs, particularly women-led businesses, are not left behind in the evolving digital economy.
Expert Perspectives on the Programme’s Impact
Polly Dhaliwal, Chief Operating Officer at Enterprise Nation, emphasises the transformative potential of AI for small businesses. She states, “If we want the UK to realise the full potential of AI, the private and philanthropy sectors need to reach the entrepreneurs who have the least time and resources to navigate the technology on their own. For small firms, saving even a few hours each week can be transformative for productivity, growth, and resilience. With Visa Foundation’s support, we can reach more small businesses across the UK and help ensure they are part of this economic shift.”
Rob Cameron, Group Country Manager for the UK & Ireland at Visa, highlights the programme’s role in overcoming barriers to digital adoption: “Micro and small businesses are vital drivers of inclusive economic growth across the UK and Ireland, yet they continue to face barriers to accessing the resources they need to digitise and thrive. For small business owners unsure of where to start, identifying which AI tools are practical and trustworthy can be a daunting task. By partnering with Enterprise Nation, Visa Foundation is helping to simplify that journey, giving founders free, tailored support to integrate AI tools that fit their business needs and help them grow with confidence.”
Building on a Global Commitment to Small Business Support
AI for Every Business expands on Visa Foundation’s longstanding global commitment to empowering small and micro businesses by providing access to capital, education, and digital skills. To date, Visa Foundation has invested $350 million worldwide, partnering with over 150 organisations and reaching approximately 12 million small businesses.
Set to launch in autumn 2026, AI for Every Business will soon share further details regarding eligibility, cohort intake, and online learning opportunities. This initiative represents a significant step toward fostering an inclusive AI-driven economy where small businesses can thrive with confidence and support.
Key Takeaways
- Enterprise Nation and Visa Foundation have launched a three-year, $2 million (£1.487 million) programme called AI for Every Business, designed to reach micro and small businesses across the UK and Ireland.
- The programme will provide free, targeted AI support including practical videos, webinars, regional events, personalised assessments, and learning paths.
- Enterprise Nation research found that 46% of small business owners do not trust AI tools enough to act, and 42% said they would only engage with AI if it were completely free.
- A significant gender gap exists in AI adoption: 29% of female decision-makers said their business has no plans to adopt AI (vs 23% of male), and women-owned businesses report an adoption rate of 17% vs 20% for male-owned businesses.
- AI for Every Business will launch in autumn 2026, with further details on eligibility, cohort intake and online learning to be announced at launch.
Findings are taken from the Enterprise Nation Tech Hub report, ‘Digital and AI Adoption among UK SMEs: The State of Play in 2026’, based on research conducted among 1,320 UK small and medium-sized businesses in May 2026.
For more information, visit Here.
