What is AI Academy?
AI Academy is a new programme which has been created to introduce artificial intelligence to your business. Over the course of 8 x 2 hour virtual sessions, we’ll show you how AI can benefit your business, help it to grow and put you ahead of the competition in your sector.
Places on the course are extremely limited with a waitlist in operation. AI Academy is a TEAM SY project, powered by Innovation Exchange. The programme is fully funded by the ERDF, Innovate Exchange, Capital Enterprise and Barnsley Council, meaning your space on the programme is at no cost to you or your business.
TEAM SY exists to help tech businesses navigate the complicated and often confusing landscape that is the startup ecosystem. If you’re an entrepreneur at any stage and you’re wondering what’s available in the region to support the launch or growth of your business, we can help. Joining this programme not only gives you a great insight into AI, it means joining a network of people working to expand and improve the business support and investment ecosystem in South Yorkshire.
Innovation Exchange (IX) is an information and knowledge-sharing platform that brings together go-getters, enablers, thinkers, barrier breakers, and disruptors to facilitate an exchange of multi-disciplinary and cross-functional technologies such as artificial intelligence, latest tech trends, and pioneering technologies.
Who is it for?
The programme is mainly for businesses based in South Yorkshire who have an interest in or are considering adopting AI. If you’re helping your business to expand, improve efficiencies and gain a competitive edge, and are interested in the role of data and technology in this, then this programme is for you. You do not need to be the “techie” to benefit from this programme.
Spaces are limited with priority given to businesses based in South Yorkshire (Startups, SMEs).
At the end of the course, one business will be selected to receive 5 of one-to-one sessions with an expert AI mentor.
What will the course cover?
Businesses will gain access to industry experts, mentoring and expert advice. The AI Academy is an 8 week programme that offers a cohort of selected businesses practical, interactive, support. We’ll do this through our teaching and knowledge exchange, demonstrating how you can scale and grow your operations using the power of data and AI.Businesses selected for the programme are therefore expected to commit to attending a minimum of 6 sessions.
By completing the course you will;
- Gain a working understanding of AI
- Have practical knowledge of how to implement AI in your business, both strategically and technically
- Have access to resources for mentorship, AI & Data Governance, expert knowledge and network
- Course Completion Certificate
- A defined AI strategy with additional support for the Top 3 Winners (a follow up meeting to refine their AI business case)
The AI Academy starts on Thursday, 2nd September and will run to the 12th October.
Course content:
Introduction to AI Academy: Setting the Scene – Thursday 2nd September
#1: What is AI for Business – Tuesday 7th September
#2: AI Strategy – Thursday 9th September
#3: Implementing Real Data & AI Projects – Tuesday 14th September
#4: AI Data & Delivery – Thursday 16th September
#5: Getting Technical – Tuesday 21st September
#6: AI Ethics for Start Ups – Thursday 23rd September
#7: Data Solutions – Tuesday 28th September
Pitch & Assessment – Tuesday 12th October
These dates are provisional and may be subject to change.
Eligibility criteria
In order to meet the eligibility criteria for the programme you must be able to answer yes to the following questions:
- My business has a registered address or trading address in South Yorkshire. (Priority will be given to businesses in South Yorkshire but limited spaces are available for Non-South Yorkshire business).
- Do you employ fewer than 250 people?
- Is your annual turnover below €50m?
- Is your balance sheet below €43m?
Programme Leaders
Sherin Mathew, Founder & CEO of Innovation Exchange & AI Tech North.
Sherin is an established thought leader within Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data specialising in AI-readiness, AI strategies, mentoring and guiding leaders with Cloud adoption. As the CEO & founder of the largest northern AI Community in the North UK, he has been recognised in DataIQ Top100 in 2021 for Sherin’s work to bridge the divide and evangelises and democratises AI across the Northern Powerhouse over the years.
Sherin also runs a global knowledge-sharing digital platform called Innovation Exchange. Sherin’s Mission is to “Disrupt the AI Disruption!” and embrace an ethical approach to build trustworthy and people-centric intelligent innovations. He is an untiring advocate for the creative and innovative side of these technologies, and he believes in AI for people and AI for good. He is the founder of a technology ethics NGO called
David Young, Vice CEO of Innovation Exchange
David brings 30+ years of IT and Data experience from several roles including Head of intelligence and Data Solution delivery lead. Certified data project practitioner and is a data and analytics expert with strong experience in operationalising business data and building analytics capabilities.
He has delivered many Analytics, BI and Data Warehousing projects in the capacity of a consultant, project manager, and design authority in various industries including healthcare, finance, retail, manufacturing, automotive, insurance, construction, utilities, media & television, and logistics.
David joined AI Tech North as Operations Director in 2019 to develop his passion for thought leadership in Artificial Intelligence (AI) specialising in AI Ethics, AI for Good and AI Strategy whilst delivering events for the collaborative platform for AI Innovation. In 2020 he took a strategic role in establishing Innovation Exchange (IX) where his role as Vice Chief Executive involves strategic delivery of their global knowledge-sharing digital platform.