Innovate UK Project No: 10194426

The Northeast AI Buddy Framework

Democratising AI Fluency for Regional SME Productivity.

About The Project

Our six-month feasibility pilot addresses a critical gap: generic classroom training models fail SMEs. Businesses need hands-on workflow integration, not theory.

Buddy-Driven Model

We connect local digital talent directly to regional SME tech workflows. It's about bottom-up transmission matching the right talent with the right firm.

Reverse Mentoring

Digital Reverse Mentoring (DRM) pairs an AI Buddy with an AI Champion to tackle real business pain points, creating applied, live AI workflows.

Safe Implementation

Strict adherence to enterprise-grade tools with signed Data Processing Agreements. We eliminate the risks associated with unstructured 'Shadow AI'.

Our Two-Phase Delivery Blueprint

A

Validation & Matching

Months 1 - 4

  • Hosted at the TriBeCa Hub, North East BIC and Software Centre
  • Intensive mapping of operational pain points
  • NLP Dashboard pairs Buddies with SMEs
B

Workplace Implementation

Months 5 - 6

  • SMEs begin direct collaboration
  • 4 to 6 week intensive integration period
  • Building and deploying live solutions

About Us

We are a dedicated team focused on shifting regional workforces from AI 'Novices' to 'Champions'. By addressing the digital readiness gap today, we proactively future-proof our local economy.

Our ultimate mission is to create an ecosystem of continuous, peer-led learning. We are deeply committed to our local community, ensuring that technology serves as a bridge, not a barrier.

Regional Employment

Promoting SME AI adoption and pathways to Tech jobs.

Diversity & Inclusion

Proudly striving for gender parity and neurodivergent opportunities in tech pathways and placements.

Our Partners

We are incredibly proud to collaborate with a fantastic network of partners to bring this vision to life.

Kerckhoffs
Bydaybreak Solutions
Sunderland Community Soup Kitchen
Funded by UK Government
TechFirst

Get Involved

Interested in becoming a Buddy, partnering your SME with us, or learning more about the framework? Reach out to our project leaders directly.

Dr Selvakumar Ramachandran

FBCS FRSA

Kerckhoffs

sr@kerckhoffs.co.uk

Richard Wilson

 

Bydaybreak Solutions

rich@bydaybreak.com