From fear of cold water to opportunities: how SMEs can responsibly use AI

19 September 2024 Research news item

Although much discussed in entrepreneurial circles, Artificial Intelligence remains a distant reality for small and medium-sized enterprises. This is according to Dirk van Schaijk, Manager of the MKB Datalab-East at Radboud University. A new masterclass aims to help entrepreneurs overcome their reluctance. According to him, smart handling of data is the key to entrepreneurial success.

Why so much fear of the unknown? Dirk van Schaijk, responsible for contacts with SMEs at Radboud AI, seeks an explanation in the often negative media portrayal. 'These amplify the fear of the unknown.' He points to the 'deep fakes' that lead to fraud, the societal damage caused by algorithms, such as in the benefits scandal, and the facial recognition technology that is sometimes abused by authoritarian regimes. He also notes that energy consumption does not help. 'An AI tool like ChatGPT consumes many times more energy than a simple Google search.'

Van Schaijk counters the reluctance that such portrayals evoke in entrepreneurs with a long list of benefits. He refers to research showing that one in five SMEs using AI saves an average of twelve hours per week. There are now more than 12,000 AI tools on the market that claim to automate over 16,000 business processes, according to Van Schaijk.' That ranges from administration and customer service to inventory management. We now have more data and computing power than ever, with endless possibilities to improve business results.'

A handy tool

Van Schaijk identifies a role for the university to support organisations in their digital transition, particularly because many SMEs lack the resources or knowledge to experiment with AI. With a series of questions, he points the way to ‘data maturity’: what types of data do you have available? (customer data, financial data, market data), which business processes are time-consuming? How can you do more with the data you are currently collecting? And what external data sources can add value? This does not mean that AI is a miracle solution, warns Van Schaijk. ‘It is a tool to achieve specific business goals, not a goal in itself. But if you are well prepared and have your data in order, AI can play a key role in the success of your business.’

How can we support entrepreneurs?

Are you an entrepreneur looking to explore what possibilities AI can offer for your organisation? MKB Data Lab-Oost provides accessible support to get started with AI and data. MKB Datalab-Oost is an initiative of Radboud University and the University of Twente to assist SMEs and (semi-)governments in Eastern Netherlands in smarter business practices using AI and data. Students organise workshops, advise on the use of AI and data, and carry out projects to help businesses progress.

For those looking to gain knowledge about responsible AI use within their own organisation, Radboud University, in collaboration with MKB Datalab-Oost, also offers the masterclass AI for Business.

Picture: Freepik