Responding to growing demand from small business owners eager to adopt AI, but held back by limited confidence or practical knowledge, the new programme is designed to help entrepreneurs unlock the game-changing potential of Artificial Intelligence.
Research from Small Business Britain and BT Group in 2025 found 60% of business owners believe AI will be essential within five years. But while over two thirds (68%) recognise AI’s potential to boost their business growth, they often struggle to use it effectively, with half feeling they need more hands-on support to meaningfully implement AI.
Bot Up Your Business aims to bridge this critical skills gap, offering expert-led, practical guidance to help business owners save time, stay creative, and get more value from their marketing.
Michelle Ovens CBE, CEO and Founder of Small Business Britain said, “Small business owners know AI can save time and open up new opportunities, but many don’t know how to use it confidently, especially for marketing. ‘Bot Up Your Business’ is designed to be practical, friendly and immediately useful, helping entrepreneurs cut through the noise and get real results.”
Delivered entirely online, the programme starts on 5 March and runs across four weekly sessions, building on previous AI skills training offered by Small Business Britain and BT Group that has already reached over 2,500 entrepreneurs.
Cheryl Laidlaw, Web Designer and AI Trainer, who will be one of the trainers on the ‘Bot Up Your Business’ programme said: “AI is no longer a future advantage, it is a present day business skill. Programmes like ‘Bot Up Your Business’ are vital because they help small businesses move from feeling overwhelmed by AI to actually using it to save time, improve marketing, and grow with confidence. The businesses that learn to work alongside AI now will be the ones that stay visible and competitive.”
No previous technical skills are required and participants will learn skills including how to create practical marketing assets and apply AI-assisted tools, with topics including content creation, email marketing and improving website performance through SEO and digital strategies.
Chris Sims, Chief Commercial Officer, UK Business, at BT said: “The ‘Bot Up Your Business’ programme, delivered with Small Business Britain, is in direct response to the message we are getting from small businesses – that they want to use AI to work faster and smarter. The programme helps businesses harness AI’s power to improve the creativity and reach of their marketing, giving them valuable time to focus on innovation, customer relationships and growth.”
Participants also gain access to a private online community to ask questions, share experiences, and connect with other small business owners. Sessions are recorded and available for flexible, on-demand learning.
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