Prime Highlights:
- Scotland launched a £1 million programme to help SMEs grow and develop.
- The initiative is backed by the Scottish Government and aims to boost business growth and competitiveness.
Key Facts:
- The programme will be delivered by Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, South of Scotland Enterprise, The Data Lab, and the Scottish Alliance.
- It will support SMEs in expanding their operations and exploring new market opportunities.
Key Background:
Scotland has launched a new £1 million programme to help small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) grow and develop.
It will be delivered through the Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, South of Scotland Enterprise, The Data Lab and the Scottish Alliance. It is the first step in a wider national plan to support business growth and innovation.
To officially launch the programme, Business Minister Richard Lochhead visited the Edinburgh Trams depot at Gogarburn. Edinburgh Trams has already been working with local consultancy Integrated Human Factors to trial a wearable fatigue-monitoring device for staff, showcasing how AI can contribute to workplace safety and efficiency.
Lochhead said the programme will give SMEs the right support to grow, stay competitive, and reach new markets.
Research shows that around 75 percent of Scottish SMEs are not currently using AI technologies and have no immediate plans to adopt them. According to Rhona Allison, managing director of productivity and business growth at Scottish Enterprise, many businesses remain unsure of how to begin their AI journey. “This programme offers practical support, helping companies embed AI into their operations and unlock its transformative benefits,” she explained.
The initiative also aligns with the Scottish Government’s Programme for Government 2025–26, which places strong emphasis on collaboration between businesses, academia, and policymakers in advancing digital innovation. Economic studies suggest that the widespread adoption of AI could boost Scotland’s GDP by anywhere between £2.74 billion and £19.33 billion by 2035 compared with a no-AI scenario.
