Invitation to be part of the Responsible Generative AI for SMEs in UK and Africa (RAISE) Project

[RAISE]

The RAISE (Responsible Generative AI for SMEs in UK and Africa) project is an RAI UK funded project focused on conducting case study research on the challenges faced by Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the development and implementation of products and services incorporating or reliant on generative artificial intelligence. The aim of this project is to shed light on the unique obstacles faced by SMEs in adopting generative AI and to explore actionable guidance that can assist them in implementing responsible AI practices.

We are currently looking to partner with Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) as part of our project. If you are an SME and would like to collaborate with us, please provide your contact information.


Also we have our first virtual workshop coming up on the 1st of July do let me know if you are interested and I can share details with you..

 

[NickGrogan]

Why UK and Africa? Combining a small country and a large continent seems a bit forced.

How are you defining SME for this project?

 

[WaveJumper]

As above why Africa, is this the RAISE funded by the EU

 

[hikiwari]

There's a 'G' missing as well.

 

[NickGrogan]

RGAISMEUKA doesn't have quite the same ring to it.

 

[Ozzy]

I'd also ask why this is being posted from Canada using an account created by Nottingham University regarding a project covering Africa, funded by the EU (which the UK is not part of). A lot of wastage there.

I was about to delete this post then thought, nah I'm bored lets ask.

 

[fisicx]

I’d prefer using Irresponsible AI. Probably much more fun.

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

I was about to delete this post then thought, nah I'm bored lets ask.

Leading from the front!

 

[IanSuth]

My son's project has just got repeat funding for another 3 years, it is a health economics based project in sub-saharan africa. They had to promise to incorporate AI to get the next funding cycle (even though not really needed)

 

[RAISE]

Why UK and Africa? Combining a small country and a large continent seems a bit forced.

How are you defining SME for this project?

Thanks for your question. The aim of the project is to understand the ethical, legal, technical and sociocultural challenges that SMEs integrating generative currently face and to cocreate guidelines together with them based on these challenges. Africa on its own has unique sociocultural, legal and technical challenges and has lots of startups also integrating AI funded also by the big techs. The UK SMEs also has its own challenges especially non clarity of regulations. So having SMEs cocreate guidelines and solutions based on experience will assist in having a set of guidance created by real challenges rather the government developing a policy without understanding the challenges that businesses face. We also believe this will create networking opportunities for business from both regions.

For the definition of SMEs we are using the UK governments definition of SME (micro (less than 10 employees and an annual turnover under €2 million), small (less than 50 employees and an annual turnover under €10 million) and medium-sized (less than 250 employees and an annual turnover under €50 million)

While in the African context we consider more as startups due to the landscape

 

[RAISE]

I'd also ask why this is being posted from Canada using an account created by Nottingham University regarding a project covering Africa, funded by the EU (which the UK is not part of). A lot of wastage there.

I was about to delete this post then thought, nah I'm bored lets ask.

Hello Ozzy, glad to know the project/post took you out of boredom.
I am currently in Canada for a conference and spoke to some SMEs who pointed out this forum. I am also one of the Co leads on the project. The project is situated under 2 entities (University of Nottingham and Trilateral research UK). Also the project is NOT funded by the EU but by RAI UK. Also trying to understand the challenges (technical, sociocultural, economical and legal) SMEs face with integrating generative AI and bringing SMEs together to co create guidelines based on those experiences providing solutions and points of navigation to current and future SMEs I think is no wastage at all.

 

[Mark T Jones]

Thanks for your question. The aim of the project is to understand the ethical, legal, technical and sociocultural challenges that SMEs integrating generative currently face and to cocreate guidelines together with them based on these challenges. Africa on its own has unique sociocultural, legal and technical challenges and has lots of startups also integrating AI funded also by the big techs. The UK SMEs also has its own challenges especially non clarity of regulations. So having SMEs cocreate guidelines and solutions based on experience will assist in having a set of guidance created by real challenges rather the government developing a policy without understanding the challenges that businesses face. We also believe this will create networking opportunities for business from both regions.

For the definition of SMEs we are using the UK governments definition of SME (micro (less than 10 employees and an annual turnover under €2 million), small (less than 50 employees and an annual turnover under €10 million) and medium-sized (less than 250 employees and an annual turnover under €50 million)

While in the African context we consider more as startups due to the landscape

In the old days we'd have referred to that as a 'consultant's answer'. These days it's presumably an AI answer?

In that it goes through the motions, gives technically correct answers without actually adding to our knowledge or understanding.

In plain English:

What is the logic of targeting simultaneously a large continent and a small island?

Why have you specifically excluded the 1% of businesses that aren't SMEs?

 

[RAISE]

In the old days we'd have referred to that as a 'consultant's answer'. These days it's presumably an AI answer?

In that it goes through the motions, gives technically correct answers without actually adding to our knowledge or understanding.

In plain English:

What is the logic of targeting simultaneously a large continent and a small island?

Why have you specifically excluded the 1% of businesses that aren't SMEs?

Hello Mark, I am no consultant rather am I an AI. Also the response was to provide clarity on the why Two continents (with unique characteristics) . Regarding your question of why the 1% of businesses who arent SMEs are excluded. a project always has a scope and that is the scope of the project (perharps in another project we will consider businesses who dont fall into this category and also another continent)

 

[fisicx]

I’m totally confused about the whole thing.

Why do you even think using Generative AI is needed by the majority of small businesses? How for example would AI be of any use to the local butcher?

 

[hikiwari]

Hello Mark, I am no consultant rather am I an AI. Also the response was to provide clarity on the why Two continents (with unique characteristics) . Regarding your question of why the 1% of businesses who arent SMEs are excluded. a project always has a scope and that is the scope of the project (perharps in another project we will consider businesses who dont fall into this category and also another continent)

Apologies if English isn't your first language @RAISE but you certainly write like a poorly programmed AI bot.

 

[fisicx]

Here you go:

"In the landscape of Generative AI, SMEs find their strength not only in navigating challenges but in shaping innovation from the very hurdles they face. It is through overcoming obstacles that SMEs craft the intelligence of tomorrow, turning challenges into the stepping stones for their unique AI success stories"

Clear as mud.

Responsible Generative AI for SMEs in UK and Africa

raise.wp.horizon.ac.uk

Maybe using Generative AI to help build the website might have been a useful exercise. Or maybe you did and this is the result.

 

[IanSuth]

I don't think it is written like AI

I think it is written in OTT academic dissertation language.

Can you explain in simple terms

What are you trying to do ?

Why ?

How will it quantifiably help SME's in either UK or Africa

 

[japancool]

I get how AI could help Farmer Giles and his wheat crop and flocks of sheep.

But how is it going to help Mobuto with two goats and four chickens who sells a few eggs and some goat milk down the local market?

 

[NickGrogan]

Hello Mark, I am no consultant rather am I an AI. Also the response was to provide clarity on the why Two continents (with unique characteristics) . Regarding your question of why the 1% of businesses who arent SMEs are excluded. a project always has a scope and that is the scope of the project (perharps in another project we will consider businesses who dont fall into this category and also another continent)

So, the scope for this project is over 99% of all UK businesses and a similar % of African businesses?

That's not actually a scope, is it?

Its looks like you've cobbled together a few random and unconnected things just to get funding.

SME - Ticked
AI - Ticked
Africa/Race - Ticked

I appreciate your desire for funding, but this seems like a waste of time, money, and effort for everyone involved.

Perhaps I've misunderstood? Could you explain the benefits of this project.

 

[mrjohnofee]

Thank you for your thoughtful reply! I understand your concerns about how AI could benefit small businesses, especially in simpler contexts like the local butcher or a small farmer. The key idea is that AI doesn't always have to be complex—it can provide simple solutions like helping businesses optimize their operations, improve customer engagement, or even automate repetitive tasks. Every business, no matter how small, has unique challenges, and AI can often offer cost-effective tools to make things a bit easier.