As part of the AI-Lead European project, a five-day international training session was held from June 30 to July 4 at the Polytechnic University of Ancona (Università Politecnica delle Marche – UNIVPM). The training brought together partners and trainers with the aim of strengthening their capacity to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI).
Throughout the week, participants explored key topics and tools essential to guiding SMEs in their digital transformation journeys. The sessions included:
- An overview of current AI tools and their practical applications for SMEs
- The development of a questionnaire to assess AI readiness and adoption among SMEs
- Collaborative testing and feedback sessions with baseline companies
- Introduction to the PID-LAB on AI, created in collaboration with the Chamber of Commerce of the Marche Region
- Tools and strategies for evaluating digital maturity and AI preparedness in business contexts
The training combined theory with hands-on activities, promoting peer learning and cross-border cooperation. It also laid the foundation for the future delivery of AI-Lead’s support model, which will empower trainers across Europe to guide SMEs through the challenges and opportunities of artificial intelligence.
This initiative reflects the core mission of AI-Lead: making AI accessible, practical, and ethically grounded for the benefit of small businesses and the wider innovation ecosystem.
Stay tuned for further updates on the AI Lead initiative as we work to enhance SME competencies to leverage AI technologies!