Newcastle-upon Tyne, 16th June 2026 – Sage, the leader in accounting, financial, HR and payroll technology for small and mid-sized businesses, has partnered with Google and Multiverse, to help small businesses in the North East with practical AI skills, to help SME’s feel more informed on evolving technology, and empower them to harness AI tools.
The event, supported by techUK and hosted in the region’s AI Growth Zone, comes at a time when many small businesses are still figuring out how - and where - to use AI. While interest is growing, adoption remains uneven. New research from Enterprise Nation, in partnership with Sage, has found that 53% of SMEs believe stronger AI skills would help to improve the quality, consistency and speed within their business. When asked about what is holding them back from adoption:
Speaking at the event, Jonathan Cowan, Executive Vice President at Sage said, the real opportunity isn’t just understanding AI - it’s making it usable in day-to-day business: “The North East has a strong track record of innovation, and that’s only accelerating as AI becomes part of how businesses operate. Small businesses are the backbone of the UK economy, so it’s critical they can benefit from that - regardless of their size. There’s still a real confidence gap though. Most businesses don’t need more theory - they need to know what works in practice. The role for companies like Sage is to show how AI can fit into everyday tasks in a way that saves time, adds value and keeps people in control.”
Working alongside Google and Multiverse, the aim was to give businesses something tangible to take away - whether that’s trying a new tool, improving an existing workflow, or simply feeling more confident about where to start.
Kate Alessi, MD & VP, Google UK & Ireland said: "While small businesses are eager to embrace AI, barriers like a lack of time and training keep many from taking the first step. We've launched our AI Works for Britain campaign to help Brits use AI to unlock growth. We're proud to partner with Sage to help demystify AI and give small businesses the confidence to use these tools to boost their productivity. Equipping the North East’s vibrant business community with these skills doesn't just save these businesses time - it fuels the wider UK economy and brings us closer to the Government's goal of upskilling 10 million people by 2030."
Faye Willis, SEND Co-ordinator and Senior Youth Worker at Cramlington Voluntary Youth Project described the event as “a turning point” in how they think about AI: “This is the first time AI has felt relevant to what we do day to day. It’s easy to feel like you’re falling behind with things like this but today has given us a clear place to start - and the confidence to actually use it, not just talk about it. We don’t have a dedicated admin person, and most of my time is spent working directly with young people, so if AI can help with things like funding bids and pulling together data, it would free up time to focus on what we’re really here to do.”
The event comes just a week after London Tech Week, where the Government highlighted the need for large-scale AI skills development. As partners in the UK’s AI Skills Boost programme, Sage, Google and Multiverse are part of that wider effort to equip millions of people with essential AI skills needed to adopt AI in practice. It also reflects the growing role that practical skills initiatives will play in supporting the ambitions of the North East AI Growth Zone.
North East Mayor Kim McGuinness, said: “I want everyone in the region to benefit from the North East AI Growth Zone. We are working closely with industry including some of the biggest brands around like Sage, Microsoft and Google, and with local businesses who are looking to adopt the latest AI tech. Critically we are supporting our region’s young people too, so we can ensure we have the skills needed to support the thriving and dynamic tech sector. I want local people to enjoy all the benefits and opportunities this brings. The North East truly is the place to be when it comes to AI and tech.”
Sage also contributed to wider conversations about how AI can be adopted in a way that is secure, transparent and grounded in real-world use. Through collaboration with partners including Google and Multiverse, and sessions focused on boosting productivity and decision making, Sage is helping more businesses across the North East turn AI ambition into practical, confident use in their day-to-day work.
About the research
Research from Enterprise Nation, in partnership with Sage. The research is based on a nationally representative online survey of 1,320 UK SMEs, defined as businesses with fewer than 250 employees. Fieldwork was carried out by Strand Partners in May 2026. The sample was made representative by region, business size and sector. All respondents were business decision-makers, including founders, owners, managing directors, chief executives, chief financial officers, chief operating officers and heads of department. Strand Partners is a member of the British Polling Council, and its research team holds Market Research Society accreditation.
About Sage
Sage exists to knock down barriers so everyone can thrive, starting with the millions of Small and Mid Sized Businesses served by us, our partners and accountants. Customers trust our finance, HR and payroll software to make work and money flow. By digitalising business processes and relationships with customers, suppliers, employees, banks and governments, our AI-powered platform connects SMBs, removing friction and delivering insights. Knocking down barriers also means we use our time, technology and experience to tackle digital inequality, economic inequality and the climate crisis.
