Innovation through AI

Loughborough College will provide innovation training on AI for Data Analysis. The training will aim to facilitate SMEs to leverage the power of artificial intelligence (AI) in data analysis. The course covers the fundamentals of AI, data collection, preprocessing, machine learning, and predictive analysis.

Participants will also delve into Natural Language Processing (NLP) for extracting business insights and the ethical considerations surrounding AI data usage. With online learning materials, practical lessons, and workshops attendees will attendees will be able to apply AI tools for data-driven decision-making, ensuring their SME remains competitive in an increasingly digital landscape.

The programme will help businesses harness AI to deepen their marketing and customer experience impact.

The project will identify a specific set AI applications and skill sets that can be adopted across a wider range of industries ensuring our training provision will maximise reach and impact for SMEs.

Delivery will be coordinated through our new skills hub based in Loughborough Town Centre which provides an interface for integration between the skills offer of Loughborough University, Loughborough College and partners.

Our approach is based on local insight and established delivery partnerships.

We already have an eco-system of business support for key aspects of innovation within business. We have described it as an innovation skills escalator for the purposes of the development of this programme.

We have identified that whilst there are good sources of introduction to innovation, support for high growth businesses and R&D facilities available in the context of innovation there is scope to address a gap around "idea to plan" in terms of innovation. This in essence involves providing businesses with the ability to build on their generalised interest in innovation to develop a plan which will support their adoption of innovation. We have identified this is about cultural as well as technical challenges.

We have also identified that AI is an excellent vehicle through which to engage businesses in this opportunity. We have identified that the impact of innovation support can be maximised where it is focused on the wider supply chain context of participants. We have set out our rationale in more detail in the Theory of Change which accompanies this application.

Acknowledging that neither we nor the businesses are operating in a vacuum we have identified the opportunity to share our learning with a number of peer colleges and to build peer support into the delivery of our innovation training.