AI is everywhere right now. For many founders, that creates curiosity… and a lot of confusion. This 90-minute Lab is designed to cut through the noise and show you, in simple terms, how AI can support your business day to day.

As part of a new practical lab series the first session aims to meet you exactly where you are, helping you to see where to get the best ROI from AI adoption.

No jargon. No tech background required. Just practical examples, clear guidance, and time to try things out for yourself.

What this Lab covers

In this session, we will explore:

• What AI actually is (and what it isn’t)
• Where AI genuinely adds value for small and growing businesses
• How to use AI safely, responsibly, and confidently
• A simple way to avoid overwhelm using the “ROI” approach

What you’ll do

This isn’t a sit-and-listen workshop. You’ll have protected time to experiment.

During the session, you’ll take part in a short hands-on challenge: Fix something annoying in your business using AI in less than 10 minutes

By the end of the Lab, you’ll have used AI to solve a real problem, not just talked about it.

Who this is for

This Lab is ideal if you:

• Feel behind or unsure where to start with AI
• Are curious but overwhelmed by conflicting advice
• Want practical use cases rather than theory
• Run or work in an SME and wear multiple hats

No prior AI knowledge is required.

What you’ll leave with

By the end of the session, you’ll:

• Understand how AI fits into everyday business tasks
• Feel more confident using AI independently
• Have at least one practical win you can build on
• Be well prepared for the rest of the AI Lab series

Who is facilitating the session?

Julie Creffield is the Innovation Director at Broxbourne Enterprise Centres, where she supports over 70 businesses across a wide range of sectors to explore new ways of working, growing, and innovating. With over 30 years’ experience in change, transformation, and business support, she brings a practical, human-first approach to emerging technology.

Julie is an AI enthusiast with a strong focus on real-world application. Rather than hype or theory, she helps founders and teams understand how AI can support everyday tasks, improve productivity, and unlock new opportunities without requiring technical expertise. Her work centres on making innovation accessible, inclusive, and useful.

Known for her hands-on style, Julie designs workshops and Labs that encourage experimentation, curiosity, and confidence. She believes the real power of AI lies not in the tools themselves, but in how people use them to solve meaningful problems and create better ways of working.