Technology

Birmingham launches AI training programs as 50% of small firms adopt tools

West Midlands adoption figures show more than half of small firms already using the tools, with new hubs and tours offering pathways to build relevant skills.

By Birmingham Tech Desk · Published 25 July 2026

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Over 57% of small businesses in the West Midlands now use AI, and 84% of those firms see it as a positive force for growth, according to data from https://heybrb.ai/blog/ai-consulting-birmingham. Adoption in Birmingham itself still sits below the national average because owners remain uncertain where to begin.

The shift matters for workers and job seekers because local agencies are already automating routine tasks in construction, finance and professional services. Construction firms tied to HS2 projects need staff who can manage AI scheduling and invoice systems, while financial services roles increasingly require document workflow tools.

Local programs now open to participants

Birmingham City Council partnered with Maybe* to give on-demand training and multilingual support to more than 300 businesses, focusing on digital marketing and operations. Aston University opened a £1 million AI-powered business hub with an AI growth engine that supplies diagnostics and scaling roadmaps to startups and scale-ups. Anthropic chose Birmingham as one of only 10 UK cities for its national small business tour, which delivers free half-day AI training sessions for owners.

These initiatives directly create demand for professionals who understand the tools being deployed. Job seekers with experience in automation platforms or document workflows can position themselves for roles supporting the construction and financial services sectors that local agencies are prioritising.

Next steps for skill development

Professionals should check the Aston University hub and the Anthropic tour schedule for upcoming sessions. Workers already in admin or operations roles can start with the council-backed Maybe* platform to test training modules that match the automation now rolling out in Birmingham firms.

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