What the AI advisory Pilot is
The AI Advisory Pilot helps small businesses find out if AI can help improve the way they work.
If you're accepted into the pilot, you'll work with an approved AI specialist. They will help you identify opportunities to use AI and create a plan for your business.
Some businesses may also be able to get support to put that plan into action. The pilot is delivered through the Regional Business Partner Network (RBPN).
You don’t need previous experience with AI to take part. An approved provider will help identify opportunities and help create a practical plan for your business.
The RBPN is a government-funded initiative that connects small-to-medium-sized businesses with advice, growth advisors, resources, and innovation funding through partnering with regional development agencies.
How AI could help your business
AI can save time, improve efficiency and make information easier to use.
Use AI to:
- reduce administrative tasks
- improve reporting and forecasting
- find and use information more easily
- support customer enquiries
- improve processes and planning
- support sales, marketing and internal communications.
What support you can get
The AI Advisory Pilot provides advisory support and is delivered in two stages:
Part one: your AI roadmap
An approved AI service provider will assess your business and help create a roadmap that outlines:
- opportunities to use AI
- priority use cases
- recommended tools
- expected costs and benefits
- implementation steps.
Part two: implement your AI roadmap
Once you've completed stage one, you may be eligible for additional support to implement your roadmap by:
- setting up AI tools
- integrating AI into your current systems and processes
- improving business processes
- testing and refining solutions
- training staff
- supporting change within your business.
Who can take part
Your business may be eligible if it:
- has 50 or fewer full-time equivalent employees
- is registered for GST in New Zealand
- has a New Zealand Business Number (NZBN)
- is actively trading
- is registered with the Regional Business Partner Network
- can commit the time and resources needed to take part
- is willing to contribute to project costs
- has a business problem or opportunity where AI could help.
What the pilot doesn't include
The pilot doesn’t support:
- creating or selling AI products or services to customers
- general software or product creation
- projects that are already under way or completed
- hardware purchases
- stand-alone AI training
- normal business operating costs
- activities that don’t improve your business operations.
How it works
- step1
Register with the Regional Business Partner Network
Register online and connect with your local Regional Business Partner.
- step2
Meet with an advisor
A growth advisor will discuss your business, the opportunity you want to explore and whether the pilot is a good fit.
- step3
Complete an AI readiness assessment
You'll provide information about your business, your use of technology and the business challenge or opportunity you want to address.
- step4
Work with an approved AI service provider
If accepted into the pilot, you'll be connected with an approved provider and agree on the scope and cost of the work. The AI Advisory Pilot co-funds up to $2,500 (excl. GST) towards this.
- step5
Create your roadmap
Your provider will identify suitable AI opportunities and develop a practical roadmap for your business.
- step6
Apply to implement a solution
You can discuss implementation funding with your RBPN growth advisor. Additional co-funding may be available if the proposed work meets pilot requirements.
- step7
Share your results
You'll be asked to provide feedback during and after the pilot to help improve future support for New Zealand businesses.
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