Applications of AI in Industry: From Lab to Business Impact

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Course Overview

This masterclass will cover:

Introduction to AI in Industry
Current and Emerging Applications of AI
Business Value and Strategic Implications
AI Readiness and Responsible Adoption
From Research to Business Impact
How organisations can engage further and explore collaboration opportunities

Course Aims

Skills and knowledge gained:

To raise awareness of how AI is being used by organisations of different sizes
To improve understanding of AI capabilities, opportunities, and limitations in business contexts
To explore the strategic implications of AI adoption for organisations
To support informed decision-making around early-stage AI adoption
To introduce pathways for engaging with academic expertise and innovation partnerships

Benefits

Gain a clear, practical understanding of how AI is being used across industry today
Learn how AI can support better decision-making, efficiency, and competitiveness in small organisations
Understand what AI can and cannot realistically do, helping to avoid costly mistakes or unrealistic investments
Develop awareness of data, skills, and organisational readiness needed before adopting AI
Identify low-risk, scalable entry points for exploring AI within a business or start-up
Understand the risks of delayed AI adoption and how to plan strategically rather than reactively
Gain insight into responsible and ethical AI use, particularly important for customer trust and compliance
Explore opportunities to collaborate with academic experts on innovation, consultancy, and funded projects
Network with other SMEs, start-ups, and professionals facing similar challenges

Who is this course for?

SME owners, founders, and start-up leaders exploring the role of AI in their organisation
Employees and managers involved in decision-making, digital transformation, or innovation
Organisations at an early stage of AI awareness or adoption
Businesses interested in collaborating with universities on innovation, consultancy, or funded projects

Award

On completion of this session, learners will receive a Certificate of Attendance.

Funding

*The Stoke-on-Trent Higher Skills Accelerator is fully funded by the UK Shared Prosperity fund in partnership with Stoke-on-Trent Council and offered free of charge to each participating organisation.

Delivery method: On campus
Location: Stoke-on-Trent campus
Duration: 09:30 - 12:30hrs
Start date: Tuesday 24th March 2026
School: Digital, Technologies and Arts
Award: Certificate of Attendance

Entry requirements

This masterclass is open to anyone who lives in Stoke-on-Trent (paying council tax to Stoke-on-Trent city council), is 18 years old and over, and meets the following criteria:

Employed for one hour or more of paid work per week (including those temporarily away from work because they are sick or on holiday).
Temporary and permanent employees who are on fixed-term contracts or agency temping.
Self-employed people.
People on government-supported training programmes, engaging in any form of work, work experience, or work-related training.
People on maternity or paternity leave.

Cost

This course is free to all learners who meet the criteria above.

Staff

Dr Benhur Bakhtiari Bastaki

Senior Lecturer

Benhur is Course Leader for BSc Artificial Intelligence. His is an active researcher and his current areas of interest are artificial intelligence, machine learning, ambient intelligence, ubiquitous sensing, contextual information and data mining.

Benhur's profile

How to apply

To apply for this masterclass please use the following link to submit your expression of interest:

https://staffordshire.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eLn7d0HPaJdTG1E