Driving Advantage with AI: Success Factors for SMEs

This workshop explored how European small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are putting AI to work to sharpen their competitive edge. The workshop featured real experiences, lessons learned, and innovative approaches from business leaders, and information about the European resources and networks helping them succeed.

SMEs are the backbone of the European economy, driving innovation, employment, and regional development. As AI transforms industries and reshapes global competition, the ability of these businesses to successfully adopt and integrate AI will be critical to Europe’s economic resilience and societal progress. When SMEs harness AI effectively, they can boost productivity, create higher-value jobs, and accelerate the green and digital transitions. Moreover, widespread SME adoption ensures that the benefits of AI, such as smarter resource use, improved services, and greater inclusivity, are broadly shared across communities and sectors, reinforcing Europe’s ambition for a fair, competitive, and future-ready economy.

Agenda

• Welcome and light networking lunch.
• Introduction and setting the stage. This session framed the workshop with an overview of the FORSEE research initiatives on success factors for SMEs for AI adoption, key preliminary results, and participant introductions.
• Workshop sessions. Consecutive sessions designed to engage participants in smaller groups.
  • Workshop session 1: Getting AI-ready from within – Internal enablers for SMEs. This session focused on internal enablers that shape AI readiness in SMEs, including strategy, technical infrastructure, and organizational practices.
  • Workshop session 2:  Beyond the business: External enablers and the AI ecosystem. This session explored the external factors that support AI adoption in SMEs, such as partnerships, networks, policies, and the wider innovation ecosystem.

Who should participate?

• SME owners, managers, and innovators interested in AI adoption
• AI solution providers and technology experts
• Researchers and stakeholders engaged in Europe’s digital transition

Benefits of participating

• Gain first-hand insights from SMEs already applying AI in their businesses
• Learn about the resources and tools available to strengthen competitiveness
• Participate in interactive sessions to exchange experiences and build connections