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Byte-sized AI: AI opportunities
I’m back for another Byte-sized AI issue, and as promised here are my three things: 😁
- Something techy from the news
- Something that made me laugh
- Something that you can do to improve how you work
📰 The one item of news:
Big news for small businesses
The UK government has just launched a £7 million fund aimed squarely at helping businesses like yours get hands-on with AI. Announced in January, this funding is being split across 120 projects nationwide, giving companies in sectors like agriculture, retail, construction, and transport the chance to trial AI tools and see what actually works for them.
What does this look like in practice? Here are a few examples:
- Bakeries are using AI to predict daily sales, so they bake just the right amount—cutting food waste and protecting their profits.
- Road maintenance teams are trialling AI that can spot potholes before they even form, meaning repairs can be done earlier and more cheaply (and maybe fewer bumpy rides for the rest of us!).
- Farmers are testing AI models to boost dairy yields and protect strawberry crops, helping them get more from every acre.
- Building managers are using AI to predict where mould might grow, so they can fix issues before they become health and safety headaches.
This is all part of the government’s new AI Opportunities Action Plan—a roadmap to help businesses across the UK adopt AI, drive growth, and make life a bit easier for everyone. On top of the funding, the BridgeAI programme is offering training and expert advice to help small businesses get the most out of these new tools.
😂 The one thing that made me laugh:
Last One Laughing
Have you watched Last One Laughing yet? I recommend a watch if you have a bit of time and just want to be gently entertained. Everyone involved is funny, and they seem to be actually supporting each other which is nice given the tone of most ‘reality’ shows. I laughed a lot, which I suppose I shouldn’t have done!
💡 The one thing you can do next week:
Give the highly distilled AI adoption plan a go
- Spot the quick wins: Look for tasks that eat up your time – like answering the same customer questions or sorting through emails.
- Start small: Try out one tool first. Microsoft Copilot is great if you already use Office, or you could try an AI chatbot on your website.
- Keep it simple: You don’t need to be techie. Most tools are plug-and-play these days, and there’s loads of free training online.
- Tidy up your data: AI works best if your info isn’t a mess. Take a quick pass through your spreadsheets or contacts list.
- Get the team involved: Show your team how the new tools work. You might be surprised who becomes your in-house AI champion!
- See what sticks: Try things out, see what helps, and don’t be afraid to tweak as you go.
If you are interested to find out how AI, automation and all things clever can help your organisation why not take a look at Future Workplace, our super special IT consultancy service that can supercharge productivity, business efficiency and so much more.
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Check out past Byte-sized AI issues:
- Byte-sized AI: Watching Paint DryThe rise of Small Language Models, have you watched AI Confidential and build you own Microsoft Copilot Agent.
- Byte-sized AI: Standing-on-towelCyberScotland Week, standing-on-towel and Authenticator.
- Byte-sized AI: Bubble, bubbleIs the AI bubble about to burst? Using Copilot in Microsoft Outlook. Ethics and morals, the big difference answered.
- Byte-sized AI: Did you miss me? I bet you did!AI adoption in UK SMEs, how amazing House is and the amazing ever evolving Microsoft Copilot.
- Byte-sized AI: AI overviews and using personasAI in search is here, some of it great, some not! 😂 Plus, make your AI tools ten times better.
- Byte-sized AI: Numbers tell a storyDevelop your team for AI, Copilot for Notebook and pining for the fjords!
- Byte-sized AI: Lost in an open plan area!Find out what Nick has been up to at the Kent and Medway Business Summit and have you tried triple promoting.
- Byte-sized AI: AI actFind out how AI is being kept in check, decide if AI is funny, and have you started going loopy!
- Byte-sized AI: AI opportunities£7 million, belly laughs and AI distilled! What more can you want? Byte-sized AI from the mind of Nick Ellis!
- Byte-sized AI: Are you thinking deeper?I’m back for another Byte-sized AI issue, and as promised here are my three things. 😁
- Byte-sized AI: Its a little bit of snow!This week we have seen the government get behind AI in a big way. This was inevitable whoever was in power, I think. There are a few obvious challenges here:
- Byte-sized AI: Say hello to ClaudeFor the more technical parts of my job, I use an AI called Claude, which was created by Anthropic.
- Byte-sized AI: Granny is here to make it all better!O2 have created an AI that sounds like your gran! The obvious question is “why?”. Firstly, it doesn’t sound like your gran specifically, that would be weird; it’s a generic gran called Daisy, complete with confusion about technology and a tendency to talk about her cat too much. Still doesn’t answer why though.
- Byte-sized AI: A llama with AI and an admission!Meta are doing something very interesting. They have a set of AI models collectively called “Llama” which anyone can download and use in their products for free.
- Byte-sized AI: Something special is happening in the UK!The UK is doing something a bit special. The global average for businesses adopting AI to some extent is around 13%.
- Byte-sized AI: Up, up and… back down! 😕Every so often in the world of tech something happens that is so astonishing, so utterly gob-smacking that we should all just stop and applaud.
- Byte-sized AI: An extra brain in the room!I’m back for another Byte-sized AI issue, and as promised here are my three things! 😁
- Byte-sized AI: The machines have taken over SainsburysWelcome to the very first issue of my new technology newsletter Byte-sized AI. Each issue I will give you three things:Something techy from the news Something that made me laugh Something that you can do to improve how you work
- Byte-sized AI: Be the first to hear from NickWant to get the latest news about technology and AI, then there is only one person you need to hear from and that’s me!!
Nick Ellis
AI and Innovation Lead
Nick Ellis is the AI and Innovation Lead at Select Technology. He is the driving force behind our Future Workplace service, which enables SMEs across all industries to use AI and automation to enhance business operations
Throughout his career he has been instrumental in helping organisations across London and the South East, to unlock the power of AI and automation to build smarter workflows that remove manual administration and connect systems. He has helped organisations replace inefficient tools with simplified processes, freeing up teams to focus on what they do best and enabling business growth without increasing costs.
With over 30 years’ experience in business technology, spanning FTSE 500 organisations and SMEs, Nick specialises in Microsoft 365, cloud software, AI solutions, and business intelligence.