• Paper from the Association of Business Mentors highlights rising demand for guidance on artificial intelligence and its implications for UK SMEs. 

• Report emphasises how the human touch of professional business mentors will play a pivotal role as interest and use of AI grows.  

The Association of Business Mentors (ABM) has seen a doubling in the number of SME mentorships focusing on AI as a business challenge or opportunity, as owners and leaders seek guidance from professional business mentors on how they can leverage the technology. This finding comes as the organisation launches a new white paper – AI and the Future of Business Mentoring. 

The white paper examines how AI is reshaping decision-making in smaller businesses, the skills mentors need to stay relevant, and the ethical and governance considerations that are emerging in mentoring conversations. It highlights the risks of both overconfidence and inaction, and argues that structured mentoring can help SMEs weigh AI adoption against their strategic priorities, capacity and risk appetite – while keeping people, culture and communities at the heart of change. 

With AI now a central pillar of the UK government’s growth and productivity agenda, ABM argues that professional business mentors are a vital puzzle piece in the national AI adoption mandate – translating policy ambition into practical, human‑centred change in real businesses. 

The white paper also sets out how mentors are encountering AI in real conversations with business owners and the types of questions that are now dominating those sessions. Drawing on activity across its network, the Association of Business Mentors has seen a sharp increase in cases where AI is a central theme in mentoring relationships, from productivity and innovation to governance, data protection and workforce impact.  

Georgina Waite, CEO at the Association of Business Mentors, said:  

“Business mentoring has always been about combining lived experience with practical guidance to help business leaders and entrepreneurs grow as individuals, grow their business, and support their wellbeing. Today, that role is being reframed because of Artificial Intelligence (AI). 

“With this report our aim is to give mentors, SME leaders and stakeholders across the mentoring ecosystem a clear picture of what is changing, where support is most needed, and how the profession can evolve responsibly.” 

Ben Jacobs, Chief Project Officer at the Association of Business Mentors and author of the AI and the Future of Business Mentoring report, said: 

“AI is moving from experiment to everyday reality in UK businesses, but leaders don’t just need tools – they need trusted human guides. By relying on professional business mentors – guides who bring empathy, business expertise and human judgement – the UK can ensure an AI future that is innovative and human at its core. 

““By enabling businesses to adopt AI with confidence, mentors help unlock productivity gains, strengthen competitiveness and stimulate innovation. The benefits extend far beyond profit – resilient, well‑led businesses underpin healthier local economies and stronger communities. I hope this report will be an important to encouraging that human and AI partnership.” 

Alongside this trend, since late September 2025, 200 mentors have enrolled on the Association’s AI for Business Mentors Course, designed to help experienced practitioners build confidence in discussing AI with their clients. Developed by the ABM and rolled out via it’s Training Centre, the course gives mentors hands-on experience with practical AI tools, alongside structured learning on data security, privacy, ethical use, and change management. It enables mentors to support business leaders in identifying high-value use cases, investing wisely, and implementing AI safely and responsibly. 

Liz King, Training Centre Manager at the Association of Business Mentors, said: 

“As a training centre we are thrilled to see mentors engaged in these activities, seeing first-hand how small training interventions with mentors create a snowball effect on the multiple businesses that they support.” 

The course also supports the ABM’s long-term ambition to deepen collaboration with government and industry partners to establish shared standards on ethics, inclusivity, and innovation. 

The full report, AI and the Future of Business Mentoring, can be found here.