Welcome to this issue of The AI Brief!
Is your business keeping up? New reports from Microsoft and BT confirm that AI adoption is a matter of urgency, with a potential to add billions to the UK economy. In this issue, we will unpack those findings, introduce you to three new AI tools for your business and provide a clear takeaway on how to get started!
The National Picture
This month has seen rapid developments across the UK’s AI landscape, from business adoption to government policy.
Overview
- Businesses are investing in AI to boost productivity and secure funding.
- Reports show AI has the potential to add billions to the UK economy.
- A skills gap remains a key challenge for wider adoption.
This highlights a strong belief in the potential of AI to transform sectors. HSBC is rolling out AI-driven customer support tools to streamline service responses and cut costs, while London start-up Synthesia secured a massive $180 million Series D round in January 2025, which marked its new unicorn status.
A Microsoft report from May 2025 stated that AI adoption by UK SMEs could add £78 billion to the UK economy over the next decade. Similarly, a Small Business Britain and BT survey from July 2025 found that 62% of small businesses are already using AI, primarily for marketing and operations, directly contributing to productivity. The report consistently warns about the skills gap and the need for more support for SMEs.
AI adoption by small businesses could boost UK economy by £78 billion. – Microsoft report
The Takeaway 🚀
With strong investment and measurable economic benefits being reported, now is the time for businesses to explore how AI can transform their operations, whether by boosting productivity or improving customer service. Be mindful of the skills gap, but focus on the direct, measurable benefits for your business.
AI Business Solutions
Keeping up with new AI tools can feel like a full-time job. We’ve done the scouting for you to find new solutions that can save your business time and money. Here’s a rundown of a few recent launches and what they mean for UK businesses. 💡
Overview
- Clevr AI: A new platform that helps with financial management and cash flow forecasting for SMEs.
- RetailGenie Pro: A tool designed for the retail sector to automate inventory and demand forecasting.
- TeamFusion Chat: An AI assistant for project management and collaboration that integrates with Microsoft 365.
This new platform is all about helping businesses manage their finances with AI. Launched in September, it uses predictive analytics to give you a clear picture of your cash flow, helping you plan ahead and avoid surprises. It’s a great fit for finance teams in SMEs because it’s built to support UK accounting standards and links up with tools like Sage and Xero.
- Cost: £59 per month.
For those in the retail sector, this tool could be a game-changer. RetailGenie Pro uses AI to automate key tasks like inventory management and demand forecasting. It’s designed specifically for UK retail chains and integrates with popular platforms like Shopify UK and Oracle Retail. This could help you stay ahead of the competition and avoid stock issues.
- Cost: £99 per user per month.
If your business relies on Microsoft 365, TeamFusion Chat is a new AI sidekick for project management. It’s designed to boost collaboration for UK enterprises, helping with everything from drafting summaries to managing workflows. It’s built to be compatible with your existing setup and adheres to UK compliance standards.
- Cost: Free tier available and £22 per user per month for the paid version.
Quick Review: Sage Copilot for Finance💰
Sage Copilot for Finance is an AI-powered assistant designed to streamline financial reporting and enhance compliance for small to medium-sized businesses. It operates by providing seamless integration with existing Sage 50 and Intacct software.
Key Takeaways
- Value & Features: The tool’s key value is reducing manual effort and improving decision-making through features like real-time insights and proactive financial alerts. It uses natural language processing, so users can get instant answers to questions without building complex reports.
- Impact on Your Business: Implementing Sage Copilot automates repetitive tasks, which reduces errors and frees your team to focus on strategic analysis. The tool’s real-time insights and proactive alerts help you make faster, data-driven decisions.
- Price Point: Sage Copilot is available as an add-on to existing Sage software, starting at £20 per user per month
Events & Opportunities
Upcoming Events & Conferences 📅
- Accelerating AI Conference 2025
- Date: 25 September 2025
- Location: Milton Keynes
- Cost: Starts at £189
- This conference provides business leaders with keynotes from tech and retail experts focusing on how to use AI for innovation and growth.
- AI Summit London
- Date: 7–9 October 2025
- Location: London
- Cost: Starts at £545 (+VAT)
- This major summit offers workshops, panels and networking with leading UK AI companies.
Educational Programs
- UK Government Skills Bootcamps
- Cost: Free for eligible individuals; employers may need to contribute.
- Details: Varying course lengths and specialisms.
- There are many government-backed Skills Bootcamps available, offered by various training providers across the UK. Examples include courses on machine learning, data analytics, and digital marketing.
What’s next?💡
Feeling overwhelmed by all the new AI terms? Here’s a simple way to get started this week.
Use an AI to Explain AI
Think of a free AI chatbot like Google’s Geminior Minstral’s LeChat as your personal glossary. You can ask it to explain any term you don’t understand. Just type your question and get a simple, clear answer in seconds.
Here are a couple quick wins you can try this week:
- Define a term: Ask it to explain “predictive analytics” in plain English.
- Plan your learning: Get a simple “AI learning plan” for your business with easy, ten-minute steps.
Give it a go and let us know what you learn! ✨