Small and medium-sized enterprises adopt artificial intelligence significantly less often than large firms, according to the OECD. In a rapid technological shift, this gap can quickly translate into a competitive disadvantage.
Leveling the playing field with large firms
The National AI Upskilling Initiative was launched to address exactly this challenge. It focused on accelerating practical AI adoption among SMEs in vehicle and automotive services, farming and agriculture, logistics, tourism and hospitality, and cleaning and facility services. These sectors were identified as needing targeted support to strengthen their AI capabilities. The goal was to ensure that smaller businesses in these industries have the tools and knowledge needed to stay competitive in evolving markets.
“The AI transition will not wait,” says Ville Valtonen, CEO of MinnaLearn. “If we want European SMEs to remain competitive, we must make AI skills accessible and practical. The Initiative was designed to ensure that smaller companies are not left behind during this technological shift.”
From interest to implementation
The Initiative employed MinnaLearn’s peer-learning model, encouraging participants to learn collaboratively, share experiences, and reflect on real business use cases together. Over the course of the Initiative, over 2,000 AI trainings were delivered, reflecting both the scale of the need and the demand for structured AI capability building.
The design of the National AI Upskilling Initiative reflects OECD observations that SMEs often face specific barriers to AI adoption, including limited internal expertise, resource constraints, and uncertainty about practical implementation. The initiative therefore focused not only on awareness, but on hands-on training that lowers the threshold for adoption and helps businesses move from interest to concrete use.
Applying AI in daily business processes
The core objective of the Initiative was to turn AI from an abstract concept into a usable business tool. Participants developed a clear understanding of what AI is and what it is not, how AI systems generate outputs, and how those outputs should be evaluated. The emphasis was on practical application in daily work. AI was explored as a support tool for idea generation, drafting materials, structuring information, planning processes, and improving operational efficiency.
Ensuring Responsible and Compliant AI Use
The Initiative also emphasized responsible and compliant use. Participants learned to recognize personal and confidential data, avoid inappropriate use of AI systems, understand potential bias and discrimination risks, and consider copyright implications, aligning adoption with European principles of transparency, equality, and accountability.
Training models that fit company needs
A distinctive feature of the Initiative was the flexibility in how learning was organised. Participating companies could choose between joining mixed cohorts with other participants—supporting peer learning across different organizations and contexts—or running closed groups reserved for their own employees. This allowed organisations to match the training format to their needs, whether they wanted broader exchange and networking or a more internal, company-specific learning setting.
Preparing businesses for long-term resilience
The National AI Upskilling Initiative demonstrates that AI adoption does not have to be limited to the largest organizations. With structured support and practical guidance, SMEs can integrate AI into their operations in ways that strengthen competitiveness and long-term resilience. In a technological shift that is redefining industries worldwide, ensuring that smaller businesses can adapt is not only an economic necessity but a strategic investment in a balanced and competitive market ecosystem.
About the initiative
The AI Upskilling Initiative was delivered in cooperation with the data consulting company Goodin. It was funded through the European Union’s Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), the EU’s instrument designed to support reforms and investments that strengthen economic resilience and future readiness across member states. The funding was coordinated by Jotpa (The Service Centre for Continuous Learning and Employment), which supports competence development and workforce skills renewal in cooperation with educational providers and industry actors.
