Innovate UK funding supports 180 student micro-internships and a six-week accelerator helping East Midlands SMEs explore responsible AI opportunities.

The University of Leicester School of Business has secured £300,000 in Innovate UK funding for an AI Programme for SMEs, bringing students and small businesses together to explore partial uses of AI, according to EdTech Innovation Hub. The East Midlands Pathways to AI program will deliver 180 AI-based micro internships for students, while SMEs can join a fully funded six-week AI for Business Accelerator. The initiative aims to build AI knowledge across the East Midlands and help businesses adopt the technology responsibly.

Students will tackle real-world AI challenges

This program will provide University of Leicester students the opportunity to work on genuine business challenges through 180 micro internships. The placements are aimed to move beyond classroom learning, allowing students to apply their AI skill to challenges identified by participating companies.

For businesses, the arrangement creates access to emerging talent and university expertise. Students can gain practical experience while learning how artificial intelligence is being used to address operational and commercial needs.

The initiative is being led by Professor Xue Zhou, Dean of AI at the University of Leicester and Professor Paul Baines, Professor of Political Marketing.

Zhou said on LinkedIn that the initiative will help build “AI skills, capability and confidence across the region.” She also described the programme as a way to connect businesses with emerging talent, university expertise and practical AI innovation support.

The project also aligns with Zhou’s work in AI in business education, digital pedagogy and the integration of AI into university curricula, with a focus on E learning, student engagement and workforce preparation.

SMEs can explore practical AI adoption

The second part of the AI Programme for SMEs is the fully funded AI for Business Accelerator. Running for six weeks, the accelerator is intended to help small and mid-sized businesses identify where AI could be useful and develop practical approaches to implementing it.

The program is mainly aimed at SMEs and microbusinesses across the East Midlands that may be interested in AI but need assistance to understand where it can provide practical value.

Baines said on LinkedIn that the government-funded initiative is aimed particularly for SMEs and small businesses that want to learn more about AI.

Participating organizations can also submit business challenges or host student internships. This creates a direct connection between AI skills development, student learning and the needs of regional employers. Businesses interested in the accelerator, providing a business challenge or hosting an internship can register their interest with the University of Leicester School of Business.

The program highlights the growing connection between AI adoption for SMEs, higher education and workforce development. As businesses continue exploring AI, programs that combine student talent with practical business support could provide a pathway for smaller businesses to begin using AI in a more structured and accountable way.

The program highlights the growing connection between AI adoption for SMEs, higher education and workforce development. As EdTech Innovation Hub reports AI, programs that combine student talent with practical business support could provide a pathway for smaller businesses to begin using AI in a more structured and accountable way.

Thus, Business Fortune believes that stronger university-business collaboration can help SMEs turn AI interest into practical, responsible innovation.

FAQs

What is the AI Programme for SMEs?

It is an Innovate UK-funded initiative from the University of Leicester School of Business that supports SMEs with practical AI adoption while giving students real-world experience.

How many student micro-internships are being offered?

The programme will provide 180 AI-focused micro-internships for University of Leicester students.

How long is the AI for Business Accelerator?

The fully funded accelerator runs for six weeks and helps SMEs identify and explore practical AI opportunities.

Who is leading the initiative?

Professor Xue Zhou, Dean of AI, and Professor Paul Baines, Professor of Political Marketing, are leading the programme.

How can businesses participate?

Businesses can register their interest in the accelerator, provide a business challenge or explore opportunities to host a student AI internship.