The company has launched a national program in collaboration with the Department of Trade and Industry (DBT) and NatWest to help small businesses understand how tools like Gemini in Google Workspace can save time and boost creativity.
The findings come from Google’s latest AI Works for Business campaign, which highlights how small businesses can leverage AI to free up time typically spent on administrative and repetitive tasks.
The company’s analysis, conducted in collaboration with Public First, estimates that more innovative use of AI tools could increase productivity across the small business sector by around 20%.
Economically, it could boost the UK economy by £198 billion.
Innovation is on pause
The report, based on a Census-wide poll, found that more than half (59%) of small business owners had to put their “innovative” ideas on hold in the past year because they didn’t have the time to put them into action.
Two-thirds say having more time to innovate could significantly increase revenue, and more than a third believe innovation could increase sales by 30% or more.
Google’s message is that AI has the potential to provide additional capabilities to owners. It claims that by automating basic tasks, entrepreneurs can focus on the creative and strategic ideas that make their businesses stand out.
The company says the technology can be applied to many day-to-day tasks, from creating marketing content and processing spreadsheets to planning logistics and customer communications.
National AI Tour for Small Businesses
To turn our findings into action, we’re training AI on the road. The AI Works for Business tour will visit Manchester, Leeds, Edinburgh and Cardiff this autumn, offering free workshops on how to use Gemini and other Workspace tools in a practical way.
The session will demonstrate how AI can automate daily tasks, organize data, and support collaboration between teams.
Google said the event was developed following a pilot project conducted earlier this year, with input from educators, small business organizations, and labor unions.
These are part of a broader partnership with the Department of Commerce and Trade aimed at accelerating the adoption of digital technologies in small and medium-sized enterprises.
Google says its goal is not only to promote its products, but also to help business owners feel confident in using AI safely and effectively. The company claims to have trained more than 1 million people in digital skills over the past 10 years through its Grow with Google initiative.
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Celebrities supporting development
Several organizations are supporting the tour, including NatWest Group and small business platform Enterprise Nation.
The companies are long-time partners in supporting small and medium-sized businesses and say they are looking at AI as a practical way to reduce workloads and increase production without increasing costs.
NatWest’s CEO of Commercial and Institutional Banking, Robert Begbie, said the partnership aims to help small and medium-sized business customers “reclaim their time, unleash their creativity and scale their ambitions”.
Aaron Asadi, CEO of Enterprise Nation, added that most founders are interested in AI, but need direction and examples that show real results, not just hype.
The program also includes a campaign called “10 Stories” that showcases real small businesses that are already using AI in Google Workspace.
Featured companies include Roly’s Fudge, Kent Brushes, and Peregrine. Each story shows how automation tools handle background work, allowing owners to focus on their customers and product development.
Real business, real-time savings
One example that Google featured is Roly’s Fudge, which uses Gemini to categorize and review ingredients for new flavors across its stores. Co-owner Matthew Pugh says the system keeps recipes organized and frees up time for product innovation and customer engagement.
“It means I can spend more time doing what’s important: creating new flavors, talking to customers, and spending time with my family,” he says.
Another case study from Enterprise Nation suggests that AI could help reduce burdensome tasks for managers, such as invoicing, proposal writing, and inventory management, which many self-employed people lose time on each week.
government support
Peter Kyle, Secretary of State for Business and Trade, said the initiative was in line with the Government’s Small Business Plan to boost digital adoption and upskilling.
“AI is transforming the way we work, and this partnership with Google will provide small and medium-sized businesses with important practical experience on how to leverage its benefits,” he said.
DBT says it wants to help 7.5 million people acquire new digital skills by 2030, with small business owners making up a significant part of that group.
The partnership with Google is one of several projects under Google’s plan to encourage more small businesses to use new tools that drive productivity and growth.
why is it important
For many small business owners, AI still feels distant or overly technical. It is hoped that such programs will facilitate experimentation without the pressure of investment or risk.
Google says that once people start noticing small time savings (a few minutes less time spent on emails or reports), they quickly gain the confidence to try more.
Industry observers note that while large companies have already deeply integrated AI into their operations, smaller companies tend to lag behind due to a lack of time, money, and technical skills.
Initiatives like this could begin to close that gap by focusing on education rather than sales.
How to participate
Registration for free AI Works for Business events is available through the Google Cloud Events portal at cloudonair.withgoogle.com/events/ai-works-for-business.
The tour will run through fall 2025, with additional dates planned if demand is strong.
