Artificial Intelligence (AI) Mentoring provides support and advice to businesses and social enterprise based in the Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) region to help them develop an action plan to introduce and adopt AI technology in their business. 

The mentoring will offer tailored advice and resources based on your needs and goals to ensure you receive the most relevant and effective support covering the ethical, trustworthy and inclusive use of AI.

The one-to-one support will be delivered online for up to 2 hours to discuss your organisations requirements and start to develop an action plan.

AI Mentoring is open to applications from 23 September 2025 until midday on 24 October 2025. Successful applicants will be notified Tuesday 4 November 2025. 

Mentoring will be available from November 2025 to March 2026. All mentoring must be completed by Friday 20 March 2026. 

Yes, if you are based in the area covered by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE). This includes Argyll and Bute (except for the Helensburgh and Lomond area), Caithness and Sutherland, the Inner Moray Firth (including Inverness), the Outer Hebrides, Moray, Orkney, Shetland, Lochaber, Skye and Wester Ross, Arran and the Cumbraes.

You are not eligible if your:

• business or social enterprise primarily operates in the retail, food and beverage service or personal services sector (e.g. shops, pubs, cafes, restaurants, hairdressers, beauticians, alternative therapist)
• business or social enterprise primarily operates in the business services sector (lawyers, accountants, consultants, training agencies)
• accommodation business operates from your own home (e.g. B&B or AirBnB type business)
• business or social enterprise is primarily funded by the public sector
• business or social enterprise is a religious or political organisation

This is a free service. 

Businesses and social enterprises based in the Highlands and Islands.

The fund opened for applications from Tuesday 23 September 2025.

Applications must be received by midday on Friday 24 October 2025.

Successful applicants will be notified by Tuesday 4 November 2025.

Making an enquiry does not guarantee that your application will be successful. 

All support is subject to budget availability. 

All HIE assistance is discretionary and there is no appeals process for unsuccessful applicants.

Visit the Highlands and Islands Enterprise website to read the guidance and submit an enquiry.