The UK has a rich history of technological research and advancement. Beginning with Alan Turning’s first leaps in the world of computer learning, the UK has always been somewhere that leads at the forefront of new and emerging technologies and AI should be no different.

However, this isn’t just an are for the conglomerates and large-scale concerns. Small businesses have an important role to play in the rapidly growing field of Artificial Intelligence. Here, we’ll examine how smaller businesses can play a leading role in a field that is only set to grow and grow.

Barriers

As AI and its related applications have expanded beyond all measure, so too has the computing power, data needs, and costs associated with pushing the discipline ahead.

A recent report from Digital Catapult talked to just over ten percent of UK start-ups involved in AI and machine learning, and found that more than half of them need more computational power in order to grow. However, many smaller firms are struggling to access this need because of prohibitive costs. This means that the talent and ideas are there, but the investment for many firms is lagging behind. 

The need for talent is also an ongoing concern for many SMEs. With the rise in AI has come the need for employees with the right skills. Big and small firms are left to fight over talent originating from a limited pool, with bigger companies able to offer more in terms of renumeration and investment in work environments.

Solutions

While this might all sound insurmountable, there are plenty of options for the smaller enterprise when it comes to embracing and pushing forward the AI sector.

Smaller firms need access to powerful computational tools and resources, and big names are starting to take notice. Digital Catapult has teamed up with companies like Nvidia, SpiNNaker and Google Cloud to offer smaller businesses the insight and hardware needed to push their AI processes forward. Offering both a space for experimentation, learning and the actual tools of greater computational power, the plan is to give smaller companies with big ideas a space to learn and flourish. 

The government is also taking a keen interest in the field. They recently announced  a £300 million fund for investment into businesses in the AI sector. Looking to exploit the UK’s knowledge and reputation for technology development, the government clearly thinks the UK can become a world leader in the field. 

Whilst there are barriers to small businesses in AI development and deployment, there are also huge opportunities. Tech giants and the government see the potential and it is only a matter of time before barriers come down under the weight of the benefits.