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How can AI help you find finance?

With nearly one in five UK businesses preparing for immediate AI adoption, the focus is on practical efficiency and clear ROI. This issue covers how to reclaim billable hours through automated research, what the latest security tools mean for your data and where to find the right UK funding for your business.

Prompt Engineer

Finding the right funding can feel like a never-ending rabbit hole. This prompt will help you narrow down the options available to your specific needs.

“Act as a specialist UK business finance advisor. I am the owner of a [Insert Sector, e.g., Manufacturing] SME based in [Insert Region, e.g., West Midlands]. > Our business currently has [Number] employees and an annual turnover of approximately [£ Amount]. We are looking for external finance specifically to [Insert Goal, e.g., purchase new energy-efficient machinery / fund an AI skills bootcamp for staff].

**Please identify 5 current, applicable funding tracks including:**1. Government-backed grants (national or regional to my area). 2. Low-interest business loans from reputable UK lenders. 3. Tax incentive schemes (such as R&D tax credits) relevant to our goal.

For each option, provide a ‘Quick Review’ covering: Value & Features, Eligibility Criteria, and the ‘Catch’ (limitations). Ensure all costs are in Pounds (£) and prioritize schemes currently open for applications in 2026.”

AI Updates Roundup

This week, UK businesses are being asked a blunt question: are you keeping up?

Overview

  • OpenAI has launched a new AI tool designed specifically for cybersecurity professionals.
  • New PwC data shows UK businesses are investing less in AI and getting lower returns than global peers.
  • The UK still has no AI law in force, but a parliamentary deadline is approaching.

OpenAI has launched GPT-5.4-Cyber, a new version of its AI model built specifically for cybersecurity teams to analyse software threats and vulnerabilities.

  • So what? If your business handles sensitive data or works with IT security partners, it may be worth checking how your providers are using tools like this.

New PwC research shows that while global AI leaders invest 5% of revenue in AI and see 15% returns, UK businesses invest just 2% and see 10% returns.

  • So what? The gap is widening and the data suggests that modest AI investment delivers modest results. It might be time to revisit how much your business is actually committing.

The UK still has no dedicated AI legislation in force, but the State Opening of Parliament on 13 May could signal what comes next for business regulation.

  • So what? Now is a good moment to review how your AI use is documented, as formal rules on transparency and accountability are likely on the way.

Finding the Right Finance

Finding the right funding often feels like a second full-time job. Whether you’re looking for a small business loan or a government grant, the search usually involves dozens of open tabs and a lot of caffeine.

Think of AI as a knowledgeable friend who has done the reading and is giving you the honest version over a coffee. It can’t sign the paperwork for you, but it works as a very efficient researcher to help you find the path that actually works for your business.

Overview

  • Use a generative AI tool to scan for UK-specific grants and loans.
  • Let the tool simplify complex eligibility criteria and draft professional pitches.
  • Always check official sources and keep your sensitive financial data out of public AI tools.

Where AI can help

Traditional search engines often bury the best grants under ads. Rather than just Googling, a tool like Microsoft Copilot or Google Gemini can act as your initial filter.

  • Customised searches work better when they’re specific. For example, instead of searching for UK business grants, try asking for five UK government grants specifically for digital transformation for a business of your size and sector.
  • Eligibility checks are also worth exploring. Pasting the text of a complex grant policy into one of these tools can return a clear summary of the mandatory criteria, which is a lot faster than reading it three times and still feeling unsure.
  • Drafting the pitch is where many business owners find real value. Rough notes fed into the tool can come back as the kind of professional prose that grant applications and loan pitches tend to require.

How to get the best results

Being specific and leading with the outcome you want tends to produce far better responses.

  • It helps to define your goal clearly. Telling the AI whether you need a quick cash injection for stock or a larger investment for long-term growth will shape the results considerably.
  • UK relevance matters too. Specifying that you’re a UK-based business keeps the results focused on pounds and local policy.
  • Tone can also be adjusted. Asking the tool to make something sound professional and evidence-based, with a focus on tangible financial benefits, is a reasonable request and most tools handle it well.

Where to be cautious

AI isn’t perfect and it’s worth going in with your eyes open.

  • Verifying the links is always sensible. AI can sometimes be overconfident about what’s still available, so clicking through to the official product or government page is a good habit.
  • Data privacy is important here. Sensitive financial documents or anything containing account details or passwords shouldn’t be pasted into these tools.
  • The human element still matters too. A lender wants to fund a person, not a process. AI can build a solid foundation, but the final voice and the final decision should remain yours.

Quick Review: Perplexity AI 🌐

Perplexity is an AI-powered answer engine that scans the live web in real time and gives you direct, cited answers to complex questions. It’s a more reliable alternative to standard search engines , think of it as a digital researcher that tracks down specific data points, market trends or regulatory updates, without the need to click through pages of blue links.

Key Takeaways

What’s Good ✅:

  • Every answer includes clickable citations, so you can verify sources.
  • The Pro version lets you toggle between different high-end models, including GPT-4o and Claude 3.
  • Its Pages feature can turn a search thread into a professionally formatted report or article.

What’s Less Good ❌:

  • The focus on factual search means it’s less effective for creative writing or open-ended brainstorming.
  • It requires a stable internet connection to function.
  • Occasionally, the AI may misinterpret a source if the original webpage has complex formatting or conflicting information.

Impact on Your Business 📈: Perplexity is a significant time-saver for business owners who spend hours on market research or competitive analysis. It lets you ask hyper-specific questions like “What are the latest UK government grants for green tech in 2024?” and get a summarised list with direct links to the application pages. This reduces the administrative burden on small teams and keeps strategic decisions grounded in the most current information available**.**

Financial ROI 💰: The primary return is a drastic reduction in research time. Tasks that typically take an hour of manual searching and reading can be condensed into less than five minutes. For a business charging professional fees, that efficiency can reclaim several billable hours a month, making the subscription cost relatively easy to justify.

Price Point 💳: A capable free version is available for basic searches. Perplexity Pro costs approximately £16 per month (billed as $20) and includes higher usage limits, file uploads and the ability to choose your preferred AI model.

Upcoming Events & Conferences 📅

An operator-led conference for CX leaders and entrepreneurs focused on moving from AI experimentation to execution. The session explores how to combine automation with human expertise without compromising customer trust.

A forward-looking panel discussion exploring how biological systems are inspiring the next generation of hybrid bio-digital AI architectures.

This one-day conference welcomes business people at all stages of their AI journey, with actionable insights from technology leaders across multiple industries. The event is co-located with a Digital Transformation Conference, meaning one ticket covers both sessions.

A one-day briefing designed specifically for directors of UK SMEs, featuring a keynote by Matt Clifford CBE. The session focuses on practical AI guidance to help you grow your business safely and confidently without the usual corporate fluff.

Training & Skills Development 🎓

Designed specifically for SME leaders, a strategy consultant will share a clear, jargon-free framework for experimenting with AI tools to streamline your operations and strengthen decision-making.