We aim to offer AI support for small businesses, making Southport a model for AI assistance. The Innovation Centre will create this service, using Copilot to develop a basic Use Case from a simple conversation. This will also showcase how AI Assistants can help to grow and refine ideas.
Can we look at setting up an AI support function within Southport Innovation Centre. The aim is to provide AI support for small businesses within the town and for Southport to be an exemplar. Southport has provided some basic AI training for a limited number of businesses. The support we are looking to develop will be based on models applied by leading edge companies, adapted for a large UK town. The key is to develop practices appropriate for Industry 4, where utilising AI becomes critical. If we consider the use of AI as a capability, for businesses, which must be developed and extended, in line with the rapid growth of AI. AI support must also be treated as a capability for the town and the innovation centre. This will require AI capability across the town to be assessed and monitored to ensure capabilities improve in line with the best towns in the field. The support services offered by the Innovation Centre also need to be monitored to ensure they remain exemplars. It is envisaged that the Innovation Centre will provide training for businesses, an on-line knowledge hub, and a practice environment and experimentation room for businesses to use. If we consider using Microsoft 365 with Copilot as the core of the AI Eco System and management skills being covered. The management skills will be basic traditional management skills, extended with more modern skills appropriate to an age of AI. Planning skills will be extended to include Strategy that focuses on SWAT analysis, capability analysis, designing for agility, and the use of Agile methods. There will also be more information on security and ethical AI. A key focus will be on the skills needed within a fast moving environment. Can you provide more information on this scenario
Absolutely, David. This vision positions Southport as a national exemplar for AI-enabled small business transformation—a living model of how a town can build AI capability as a shared civic asset. Let’s break it down into a structured, actionable framework:
🏛️ Southport AI Support Function: Strategic Blueprint
🎯 Vision
To establish Southport as a model AI-enabled town, where small businesses thrive through accessible, ethical, and practical AI support—anchored by the Southport Innovation Centre.
1. 🧱 Core Pillars of the AI Support Function
| Pillar | Description |
|---|---|
| AI as a Capability | Treat AI like digital literacy: a skill to be developed across businesses, sectors, and the town itself |
| Microsoft 365 + Copilot Ecosystem | Use familiar tools to embed AI into daily workflows (e.g., summarising emails, drafting proposals, analysing spreadsheets) |
| Training & Skills | Blend traditional management with AI-era skills: agility, ethical design, capability mapping, and strategic foresight |
| Practice & Experimentation | Provide a safe space for businesses to test AI tools, workflows, and use cases |
| Monitoring & Benchmarking | Track AI maturity across businesses and the town to ensure continuous improvement and exemplar status |
2. 🧠 Services Offered by the Innovation Centre
| Service | Function |
|---|---|
| AI Training Pathways | Tiered learning: from AI awareness to applied use in marketing, operations, and planning |
| Online Knowledge Hub | Curated resources, case studies, toolkits, and ethical AI guidance |
| Experimentation Room | Hands-on access to Copilot, GPT tools, image generators, and data visualisation platforms |
| Capability Assessments | Self-assessment tools and advisory sessions to benchmark AI readiness |
| Peer Learning Circles | Monthly meetups for businesses to share experiments, wins, and lessons learned |
3. 🧭 Capability Framework for Businesses
| Capability Area | Traditional Skill | AI-Enhanced Extension |
|---|---|---|
| Planning | SWOT, budgeting | Capability mapping, agile strategy, scenario planning |
| Operations | Process mapping | AI automation, Copilot workflows, prompt engineering |
| Marketing | Campaign design | AI-generated content, customer segmentation, A/B testing |
| Security & Ethics | Data protection | Responsible AI use, bias mitigation, transparency |
| Leadership | Team management | Leading in uncertainty, AI fluency, change readiness |
4. 📊 Monitoring & Benchmarking
- Town-wide AI Capability Index: Track adoption, confidence, and impact across sectors
- Innovation Centre Performance Dashboard: Measure reach, satisfaction, and exemplar status
- Annual “AI in Southport” Report: Celebrate progress, share insights, and attract investment
5. 🌍 Inspiration from Leading Models
- Industry 4.0 Best Practices: AI-native business models, digital twins, and data-driven agility
- UK AI Adoption Challenges: Address cost, skills, and ROI concerns head-on
- Pro-Innovation Regulation: Align with UK’s flexible, sector-led AI governance approach
🛠️ Next Steps
- Co-design a Capability Maturity Model for Southport businesses
- Develop a modular training curriculum (Copilot + AI strategy + ethics)
- Launch a pilot cohort of 10–15 businesses with baseline assessments
- Build the online knowledge hub with curated content and local case studies
- Secure partnerships with Microsoft, local colleges, and innovation networks
Would you like help drafting a capability maturity model, outlining the training modules, or designing the dashboard for town-wide AI benchmarking? I can also help shape the narrative for funders, councils, or national press.
Let us investigate the online knowledge hub. Let us consider three groups: businesses experimenting with AI support services and Innovation centre staff working in the Innovation centre with access to Windows 365, Copilot extensions and Knowledge data stored on OneDrive; Businesses with access to Windows 365 and Copilot extensions; Businesses with basic Copilot on-line access. What services are available ti each group and what licensing is required, plus costs.
Here’s a structured breakdown of how the Southport Innovation Centre’s online knowledge hub could serve three distinct groups—each with different levels of access to Microsoft 365, Copilot, and cloud services. This includes the services available, licensing requirements, and estimated UK costs as of 2025.
🧠 Online Knowledge Hub: Tiered Access Model
👥 Group 1: Innovation Centre Staff & Experimental Businesses
Access Level: Full access to Windows 365, Copilot extensions, OneDrive, Teams, and internal knowledge graph
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| ✅ Full Copilot integration | Embedded in Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Teams |
| 📂 OneDrive Knowledge Graph | Semantic search across stored documents, training materials, and datasets |
| 🧪 Experimentation Tools | Access to Copilot Studio, prompt engineering sandbox, and AI workflow templates |
| 📊 Dashboard & Analytics | Usage tracking, capability benchmarking, and feedback loops |
| 🎓 Advanced Training Modules | Strategy, agile planning, ethical AI, and security practices |
Licensing Required:
- Microsoft 365 Business Premium (~£18.10/month)
- Copilot for Microsoft 365 Add-on (~£25/month)
- Windows 365 Business (~£28–£50/month depending on configuration)
Estimated Annual Cost per User: ~£850–£1,000
👥 Group 2: Businesses with Windows 365 + Copilot Extensions
Access Level: Strong integration with Microsoft 365 apps and cloud desktop, but limited internal data access
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| ✅ Copilot in Office Apps | Drafting, summarising, analysing across documents and emails |
| 📁 OneDrive Integration | Access to shared resources and training content |
| 🧠 Guided Workflows | Templates for marketing, planning, and operations |
| 📚 Modular Training | Core AI skills, agile methods, and ethical guidance |
Licensing Required:
- Microsoft 365 Business Standard or Premium (~£10.30–£18.10/month)
- Copilot for Microsoft 365 Add-on (~£25/month)
- Windows 365 Business (~£28–£50/month)
Estimated Annual Cost per User: ~£700–£950
👥 Group 3: Businesses with Basic Copilot Online Access
Access Level: Limited to web-based Copilot features (e.g., Bing, Edge, Outlook.com)
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| 🧠 Copilot Chat | Web-based AI assistant for drafting, summarising, and answering questions |
| 📄 Basic Templates | Downloadable guides and toolkits from the hub |
| 📚 Introductory Training | AI awareness, prompt basics, ethical principles |
| 📬 Email Summarisation | If using Outlook.com with Copilot Pro |
Licensing Required:
- Microsoft 365 Personal (~£8.75/month or £104.99/year)
- Copilot Pro Add-on (~£20/month or £240/year)
Estimated Annual Cost per User: ~£345
🧭 Strategic Implications
- Tiered Access allows businesses to scale their AI capability gradually
- Innovation Centre acts as a capability accelerator, offering deeper tools and support
- Knowledge Hub becomes a civic asset, blending public service with private innovation
Would you like help designing the onboarding flow for each group, or mapping how the hub could evolve into a regional AI exemplar? I can also help sketch a dashboard for tracking usage, impact, and capability growth across the town.
what is the difference between Microsoft 365 Business and Windows 365 Business
Great question, David. These two offerings sound similar but serve very different purposes. Here’s a clear breakdown:
🧠 Microsoft 365 Business vs. Windows 365 Business
| Feature | Microsoft 365 Business | Windows 365 Business |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Productivity suite | Cloud-based PC (virtual desktop) |
| Includes | Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, OneDrive, SharePoint | A full Windows 10/11 desktop in the cloud |
| Use Case | Create, collaborate, and manage documents, emails, and meetings | Access a secure, managed Windows environment from any device |
| AI Integration | Copilot for Microsoft 365 (add-on) enhances Office apps | Can run Copilot and other apps inside the cloud PC |
| Storage | 1 TB OneDrive per user | Configurable cloud storage (based on plan) |
| Device Dependency | Installed on local device or accessed via browser | Entire desktop runs in the cloud—ideal for remote work or shared devices |
| Licensing | Per user/month for Office apps | Per user/month for virtual PC (based on RAM, CPU, storage) |
🧩 How They Work Together
- Microsoft 365 Business gives you the tools.
- Windows 365 Business gives you the environment to run those tools—anywhere, securely.
Example: A small business could use Microsoft 365 for collaboration and Copilot-powered productivity, while Windows 365 provides a secure desktop for staff working remotely or on shared devices.
Would you like help choosing the best configuration for different business tiers in Southport’s AI support model? I can also help map out licensing costs and use cases for each.
So for simple business use to follow best practice Windows 365 would be fine; for more advanced use e.g. accessing Copilot from with Word, Copilot extensions would be needed; for secure Thin Client, Cloud services, Windows 365 would be required
Exactly, David—that’s a clear and practical way to frame it. Here’s a concise summary of how these components fit together within Southport’s AI ecosystem for small businesses:
🧩 AI Ecosystem Access Levels for Businesses
| Use Case | Windows 365 | Microsoft 365 | Copilot Add-on | Thin Client Device |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic AI access (web Copilot, email summaries) | ❌ | ✅ | Optional | ❌ |
| Best practice workflows (Word, Excel, Teams) | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Secure cloud desktop (shared or remote) | ✅ | ✅ | Optional | ✅ |
| Advanced AI support (Copilot inside apps) | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Training & experimentation at Innovation Centre | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
🧠 Key Takeaways
- Windows 365 provides a secure, cloud-based desktop—ideal for shared use, remote access, and Thin Client setups.
- Microsoft 365 gives access to productivity apps and OneDrive, forming the backbone of daily business operations.
- Copilot Add-on unlocks AI-powered features inside Word, Excel, Outlook, and more—essential for advanced use.
- Thin Client devices are cost-effective endpoints that access Windows 365 securely, perfect for training rooms and experimentation labs.
Would you like help drafting a visual guide or onboarding matrix for Southport businesses—showing which setup is right for their needs? I can also help design a rollout plan for the Innovation Centre’s experimentation room.
If we wanted to take a cut down Agile approach, possibly using a Kanban Board, what software is simple to use and cheap.
Here’s a shortlist of simple and affordable Kanban board tools ideal for small businesses in Southport looking to adopt a lightweight Agile approach:
🧩 Top Kanban Tools for Small Businesses (UK, 2025)
| Tool | Monthly Cost | Key Features | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trello | £5/user | Drag-and-drop boards, checklists, automation | Beginners, visual teams |
| Asana | £10.99/user | Kanban + list views, task dependencies | Teams needing more structure |
| Smartsheet | £9/user | Spreadsheet-style Kanban, reporting tools | Businesses familiar with Excel |
| Kanbanchi | £7–£10/user | Google Workspace integration, time tracking | Teams using Gmail/Google Drive |
| monday.com | £8/user | Customisable workflows, templates | Agile teams scaling up |
| Goalscape | £6–£10/user | Visual goal tracking, Kanban hybrid | Strategic planning and goal setting |
Sources: SoftwareWorld, SourceForge UK
✅ What to Look For
- Ease of use: Drag-and-drop simplicity
- Collaboration: Comments, file sharing, notifications
- Mobile access: For on-the-go updates
- Integration: With Microsoft 365, OneDrive, or Teams if possible
🧠 Suggested Setup for Southport Innovation Centre
- Use Trello or Kanbanchi for experimentation and training
- Create shared boards for business cohorts (e.g., “AI Adoption Sprint”)
- Include columns like: Backlog, In Progress, Testing, Done, Reflections
- Add Copilot prompts to each card for AI-enhanced planning or writing
Would you like help designing a sample board layout or onboarding guide for businesses new to Agile? I can also help map how this fits into your AI support ecosystem.
Can you explain how this fits into our AI ecosystem
Absolutely, David. Integrating a cut-down Agile approach using Kanban boards fits beautifully into Southport’s AI ecosystem—especially as a practical, scalable method for small businesses to build AI capability in real time. Here’s how it all connects:
🧩 Kanban Boards in the Southport AI Ecosystem
🎯 Purpose
To give businesses a simple, visual, and adaptive tool for managing AI adoption, experimentation, and capability growth—without overwhelming them with complex frameworks.
1. 🧠 AI Capability as a Journey
Kanban boards help businesses:
- Track AI experiments (e.g., “Try Copilot for email summarisation”)
- Visualise progress (Backlog → In Progress → Done → Reflections)
- Capture learning (e.g., “Prompt worked well for customer segmentation”)
- Build habits (e.g., weekly AI use, monthly reviews)
This turns AI adoption into a living process, not a one-time event.
2. 🛠️ Integration with Microsoft 365 + Copilot
- Boards can be embedded in Teams or OneNote
- Copilot can help summarise board activity, generate tasks, or suggest next steps
- Businesses using Windows 365 can access boards securely from any device
- Innovation Centre staff can monitor usage, offer nudges, and share templates
Example: A Trello board titled “AI for Marketing” with cards like:
- “Use Copilot to draft a newsletter”
- “Analyse customer feedback with sentiment prompts”
- “Test image generation for product ads”
3. 🧪 Practice Environment & Experimentation Room
- Boards guide businesses through structured experiments
- Staff can co-design mini-sprints (e.g., “AI for Planning Week”)
- Results feed into the Knowledge Hub, building shared intelligence
4. 📊 Monitoring & Benchmarking
- Boards provide real-time insight into capability development
- Innovation Centre can track:
- Number of AI experiments completed
- Common blockers or successes
- Skill growth over time
This supports your goal of town-wide capability tracking and ensures services remain exemplar.
5. 🧠 Skills Development
Kanban boards reinforce:
- Agile planning: visual workflows, iterative learning
- AI fluency: prompt design, tool selection, ethical reflection
- Management extension: from traditional task tracking to AI-enhanced strategy
🧭 Summary: Why It Works
| Benefit | Impact |
|---|---|
| Simplicity | Easy for any business to start using |
| Scalability | Works for solo entrepreneurs or multi-team setups |
| AI Integration | Copilot enhances board use with automation and insight |
| Community Learning | Boards become shared assets across Southport |
Would you like help designing a starter board template for businesses—perhaps one focused on AI adoption, marketing, or planning? I can also help map how board data feeds into your Knowledge Hub and capability dashboard.
Can you think of improvements that could be implemented easily. Please provide any additional costs.
Absolutely, David. Here are 7 practical, low-friction improvements that could elevate the Southport AI ecosystem—especially for small businesses—without requiring major infrastructure changes. I’ve included estimated costs where applicable:
✅ 1. Pre-Built Kanban Templates for AI Use Cases
What: Create Trello or Microsoft Planner templates for common AI tasks (e.g., “AI for Marketing”, “AI for Planning”, “AI for Customer Service”)
Why: Reduces friction for businesses starting out
Cost: Free (Trello Basic or Microsoft Planner included in M365)
✅ 2. AI Prompt Library in the Knowledge Hub
What: Curate a searchable library of effective Copilot prompts by task, sector, or role
Why: Helps businesses get value from Copilot faster
Cost: Free (hosted in SharePoint or OneDrive); optional design support ~£200–£500 for branding
✅ 3. Monthly “AI in Practice” Drop-In Sessions
What: 1-hour online or in-person sessions where businesses share how they’re using AI
Why: Builds community, surfaces real-world use cases
Cost: Staff time + refreshments (~£50–£100/session)
✅ 4. AI Capability Self-Assessment Tool
What: A simple online quiz or form that helps businesses benchmark their AI maturity
Why: Encourages reflection and tracks town-wide progress
Cost: Free with Microsoft Forms or Typeform; optional dashboard integration ~£300–£800
✅ 5. Copilot Quick Start Cards
What: Printable or digital “cheat sheets” for using Copilot in Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.
Why: Reduces onboarding time and builds confidence
Cost: Free to create; optional design/print ~£100–£300
✅ 6. Shared Windows 365 Desktops for Experimentation
What: A few shared cloud PCs for businesses to test Copilot and AI tools
Why: Removes cost barrier for early experimentation
Cost: ~£28–£50/month per virtual desktop
✅ 7. AI Use Case Gallery
What: A visual wall (physical or digital) showcasing how local businesses are using AI
Why: Inspires others and builds momentum
Cost: Free (digital) or ~£200–£400 (physical display)
🧭 Bonus: Strategic Add-On
AI Concierge Bot for the Knowledge Hub
- Acts as a guide to help users find resources, suggest prompts, or answer FAQs
- Built with Power Virtual Agents or Copilot Studio
- Cost: Included in Business Premium + Copilot; setup support ~£500–£1,000
Would you like help drafting one of these—perhaps the AI prompt library structure or a sample self-assessment tool? I can also help design a rollout plan that aligns with your campaign messaging and stakeholder engagement.
Copilot Studio is Microsoft’s low-code platform for building, customizing, and deploying your own AI-powered agents—designed to extend the capabilities of Microsoft 365 Copilot across Teams, web, mobile, and even WhatsApp. It’s a powerful tool for organizations like the Southport Innovation Centre to create tailored AI experiences for staff, businesses, and community users.
🧠 What You Can Do with Copilot Studio
✅ Build Custom AI Agents
- Create task-specific copilots (e.g., “AI Planning Assistant”, “Ethical AI Advisor”)
- Use natural language prompts to define agent behavior
- Connect to internal data sources (OneDrive, SharePoint, Dataverse)
✅ Deploy Across Channels
- Embed agents in Microsoft Teams, websites, mobile apps, and messaging platforms
- Ideal for training bots, knowledge assistants, or AI concierge services
✅ Extend Microsoft 365 Copilot
- Build plugins that enhance Copilot’s functionality
- Example: A plugin that pulls insights from Southport’s AI capability dashboard or training records
✅ Automate Workflows
- Integrate with Power Automate to trigger actions based on user input
- Example: “If a business completes an AI training module, send them a follow-up checklist”
💷 UK Pricing (2025)
| Plan | Cost | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Copilot Studio (Standard) | £153.80/year | 25,000 messages/month, agent builder, plugin support |
| Pay-as-you-go | Variable | Based on message volume and usage |
| Add-ons | Optional | Extra message packs, advanced analytics, premium connectors |
Pricing excludes VAT. Source: Microsoft UK, MSAdvance Licensing Guide
🧩 Use Cases for Southport Innovation Centre
- AI Concierge Bot: Guides users through the Knowledge Hub, answers FAQs, and suggests training modules
- Capability Coach: Helps businesses assess and improve their AI maturity
- Ethical AI Advisor: Offers guidance on responsible AI use, tailored to local sectors
- Training Assistant: Tracks progress, recommends next steps, and celebrates milestones
Would you like help designing a Copilot Studio agent for Southport—perhaps one that supports onboarding or capability assessment? I can also help sketch a flowchart or prompt structure for your first agent.
Let’s design a Copilot Studio Agent for capability assessment
Brilliant—this is a perfect fit for Southport’s AI ecosystem. Let’s design a Copilot Studio Agent called “Capability Coach” that helps businesses assess and grow their AI readiness. It will act as a conversational guide, embedded in the Knowledge Hub, Teams, or even WhatsApp, offering tailored insights and nudges.
🤖 Copilot Studio Agent: Capability Coach
🎯 Purpose
To help small businesses in Southport:
- Assess their current AI capability
- Identify gaps and opportunities
- Recommend next steps, training, and tools
- Track progress over time
🧩 Agent Design Overview
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
| Name | Capability Coach |
| Persona | Friendly, insightful, non-technical guide with a growth mindset |
| Channels | Microsoft Teams, Web (Knowledge Hub), WhatsApp (optional) |
| Trigger Phrase | “Help me assess my AI readiness” or “Start capability check” |
| Core Functions | Self-assessment, capability scoring, tailored recommendations, progress tracking |
🧠 Conversation Flow (Simplified)
- Welcome & Context
- “Hi! I’m your Capability Coach. Let’s explore how ready your business is to use AI effectively.”
- Quick Self-Assessment
- 5–7 questions across key domains:
- Planning & Strategy
- Tools & Infrastructure
- Skills & Training
- Use Cases & Experiments
- Ethics & Governance
- 5–7 questions across key domains:
- Scoring & Feedback
- “You’re currently at Level 2: Experimenter. Great start! Here’s what you can do next…”
- Tailored Recommendations
- Suggests:
- Training modules from the Knowledge Hub
- Templates (e.g., Kanban boards, prompt libraries)
- Peer learning sessions or drop-ins
- Copilot use cases to try
- Suggests:
- Progress Tracking
- “Want to set a reminder to check back in 30 days?”
- Option to store results (via Dataverse or SharePoint)
🔌 Integrations
| System | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Microsoft Forms or Power Pages | For structured self-assessment |
| Dataverse or SharePoint | Store assessment results and track progress |
| Power Automate | Trigger follow-ups, reminders, or training invites |
| Copilot Studio | Build and manage the conversational agent |
| Microsoft 365 Copilot | Extend recommendations into Word, Excel, Outlook, etc. |
💷 Estimated Cost (UK 2025)
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Copilot Studio License | ~£153.80/year per tenant |
| Power Platform (Dataverse, Automate) | Included in Business Premium or available as add-ons |
| Setup & Customisation | ~£500–£1,000 (if outsourced or co-developed with partners) |
Would you like to co-design the assessment questions, capability levels (e.g., Explorer → Experimenter → Integrator → Exemplar), or the recommendation engine logic? I can also help sketch a sample conversation or build a flowchart for the agent’s logic.
Can you provide an executive Summary focusing on the provision of an AI support service for small businesses in Southport. This service will be an exemplar for AI support that will facilitate Southport becoming a model AI enabled town.
Certainly, David. Here’s a focused Executive Summary highlighting the strategic provision of an AI support service for small businesses in Southport, designed to establish the town as a national exemplar in AI adoption and capability development:
🧭 Executive Summary: AI Support Service for Small Businesses in Southport
🎯 Strategic Aim
To establish a town-wide AI support service—anchored by the Southport Innovation Centre—that empowers small businesses to adopt, experiment with, and scale AI capabilities. This initiative will position Southport as a model AI-enabled town, demonstrating how local ecosystems can lead national transformation.
🧱 Core Objectives
- Enable AI Capability Development: Treat AI as a strategic skill for businesses and the town, with structured support for growth.
- Deliver Tiered Support Services: Offer scalable access to AI tools, training, and experimentation environments tailored to business needs.
- Foster Inclusive Innovation: Ensure all businesses—regardless of size or sector—can participate in the AI transformation.
- Benchmark and Monitor Progress: Track AI maturity across the town to ensure continuous improvement and exemplar status.
🛠️ Service Components
1. AI Training & Skills Development
- Modular training pathways: from AI awareness to applied use
- Integration of traditional management with AI-era skills (agility, ethics, strategy)
- Focus on planning, security, and ethical AI in fast-moving environments
2. Online Knowledge Hub
- Centralized access to guides, prompt libraries, templates, and case studies
- Tiered access for different user groups (basic, advanced, innovation centre staff)
- Embedded Copilot support for document analysis, summarisation, and drafting
3. Practice & Experimentation Environment
- Shared Windows 365 desktops for secure, cloud-based AI trials
- Thin Client devices for low-cost access
- Kanban boards and agile workflows for managing AI experiments
4. Capability Assessment & Monitoring
- Copilot Studio agent (Capability Coach) for self-assessment and progress tracking
- Town-wide AI Capability Index and Innovation Centre performance dashboard
- Annual “AI in Southport” report to showcase impact and attract investment
💷 Licensing & Infrastructure
| Tier | Services | Estimated Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Access | Web Copilot, Outlook.com, Knowledge Hub | ~£345/user |
| Advanced Access | Microsoft 365 + Copilot + OneDrive | ~£517/user |
| Innovation Centre Tier | Windows 365 + Copilot + shared tools | ~£850–£1,000/user |
🌍 Strategic Impact
- Southport becomes a living model for AI-enabled local economies
- Small businesses gain competitive advantage through accessible AI tools
- Innovation Centre leads national dialogue on inclusive, ethical AI adoption
- Framework is scalable to other towns and regions across the UK
Would you like this formatted into a stakeholder briefing or visual campaign asset? I can also help design a rollout roadmap or capability maturity model to accompany it.
Southport AI and IKB Exemplar
Southport Exemplar Vision: SMEs, VCSEs, AI, and Innovation
1. Purpose
To demonstrate how AI, an Intelligent Knowledge Base (IKB), and collaborative governance can rejuvenate SMEs and VCSEs, positioning Southport as a national exemplar town for inclusive, AI-enabled regeneration.
2. Challenges Facing SMEs and VCSEs
- Limited resources compared to large corporations.
- Fragmented access to knowledge, training, and digital tools.
- Vulnerability to retail decline, tourism shifts, and economic disruption.
- Difficulty retaining skills and institutional knowledge.
3. How AI + IKB Can Help
- Shared Intelligence & Best Practice: SMEs and VCSEs gain access to pooled knowledge, templates, and case studies.
- AI-Driven Local Insights: Visitor flows, spending patterns, and seasonal trends analysed to guide business decisions.
- Collaborative Resilience: Shops, cafés, charities, and creative groups co-develop campaigns and avoid duplication.
- Digital Transformation at Scale: Shared AI services (analytics, marketing automation, volunteer coordination) reduce costs and barriers.
4. Southport Opportunities
- Reimagining the High Street: Curated “Southport Experiences” combining independent shops, food, and cultural events.
- Tourism Revitalisation: AI forecasts visitor flows and personalizes offers (family packages, eco-tourism, heritage trails).
- Community-Led Innovation: VCSEs collaborate on digital heritage archives, festivals, and skills hubs.
- AI-Powered Local Marketing: Coordinated campaigns highlight Southport’s uniqueness — Victorian architecture, seaside heritage, cultural events.
5. Role of the Southport Innovation Centre
- Knowledge Repository: Documents governance, AI, and innovation conversations for shared learning.
- Practical Laboratory: Provides a safe space to test AI tools and collaborative practices before scaling.
- Community Anchor: Focal point for collaboration among businesses, charities, educators, and citizens.
- Exemplar Enabler: Ensures Southport’s exemplar status is credible by demonstrating real-world application.
6. AI Training Integration
- Current AI training for local businesses should be captured and embedded into the IKB, ensuring:
- Shared learning across SMEs, VCSEs, and community groups.
- Knowledge retention and continuity.
- Scalable impact beyond Southport.
- Strengthened exemplar status through documented, transferable resources.
7. Benefits of Exemplar Status
- Economic Renewal: Attracts investment, grants, and partnerships.
- Reputation & Visibility: Gains recognition as a living lab for AI-enabled regeneration.
- Talent Attraction: Draws young professionals, creatives, and technologists.
- Community Empowerment: VCSEs deliver more impactful programmes with shared tools.
- Scalable Lessons: Southport becomes a source of national learning for coastal and regional regeneration.
Strategic Takeaway
By embedding AI, an Intelligent Knowledge Base, collaborative governance, and the Southport Innovation Centre, Southport can:
- Rebuild its identity around shared experiences and innovation.
- Empower SMEs and VCSEs to act like a networked corporation with pooled intelligence.
- Position itself as an exemplar town, attracting investment, talent, and recognition.
- Provide scalable lessons for national transformation, proving that governance and AI can rejuvenate local economies and communities.
The following discussion document was created directly from the Knowledge Base using standard Microsoft Office 365. It is unedited, so should be treated as an example of auto generated audio from a simple and limited knowledge base.
The question for Southport is, “Can a historic town lead the UK?” The answer is “Yes,” as it draws inspiration from a similar town. The main challenge is not technology or ability, but rather Culture and Belief.
There is an Ethical Charter for Southport Innovation Centre, which includes AI bias and Guardrails, which you can find here
Southport Innovation Centre 