- Greater Manchester’s Business Growth Hub launches new GenAI business support chatbot to enhance its successful business support service.
- It is the first business support organisation in the country to use the GenAI chatbot, which provides instant access to business support information building on a decade of knowledge and insight working with the people and businesses of Greater Manchester.
- The launch of the chatbot coincides with the rollout of the new-look GM Business Growth Hub website, making it easier for businesses to find the support they need.
- The AI tool, developed by social enterprise, the Growth Company, is the first time the software has been used to deliver business support in this way.
Greater Manchester’s Business Growth Hub has launched a new GenAI-powered business support chatbot to help as many individuals and companies as possible to successfully navigate the challenges and opportunities of doing business.
The Hub, part of the Growth Company, is the first business support organisation in the country to invest in a dedicated chatbot of this kind. The chatbot uses generative AI technology to provide instant access to comprehensive, easily accessible information on a wide range of business issues 24/7.
The chatbot will enhance the quality of the service already provided by the GM Business Growth Hub, with the option to speak to an experienced business advisor for more tailored guidance.
It can be accessed on the GM Business Growth Hub website which has also been given a fresh, new look, making it even easier for people and businesses to find the support they need.
Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said: “For more than a decade the Greater Manchester Business Growth Hub has been at the forefront of delivering business support and this is another example of the Hub’s ability to adapt and respond to the needs of our business community.
“As a city-region that has one of the fastest growing economies in the UK, Greater Manchester continues to develop different ways of delivering services, always embracing innovation and emerging technology.
“In my election manifesto I set out a clear commitment to look at what more could be done to help businesses capture productivity and efficiency gains, this included through the adoption of new technologies like artificial intelligence. The launch of this new GenAI chatbot demonstrates how we are leading the way in the use of technology to help more businesses thrive.”
Janine Smith, Director of GM Business Growth Hub, said: “As Greater Manchester’s business support organisation, the Business Growth Hub has been dedicated to supporting the people and businesses of this city region and those interested in doing business here for over a decade.
“The launch of our GenAI chatbot is the next step in enhancing the support our experienced advisors are able to provide every day, building on their unique knowledge, expertise and insight to help our business community thrive.
“Alongside the launch of our chatbot, the Hub has also bolstered its team with advisors who have specialist knowledge of AI, to help businesses who need support to capitalise on this rapidly evolving technology.”
Mark Hughes, Growth Company Chief Executive, added: “The launch of this GenAI business support tool, reflects our own organisational approach to embracing the ethical and responsible use of AI at the Growth Company, and the opportunities it will bring to enhance the services we provide to help people and businesses to thrive. By investing in this technology in this way, we are expanding our capacity to anticipate and respond to the needs of people and business. It puts us, and Greater Manchester, at the leading edge of business support.”
The business support chatbot has been trained on the latest information from the Growth Company’s extensive content bank which is drawn from ten years of working with Greater Manchester’s business community.
Alongside resources from other relevant services and organisations this provides a rich and reputable knowledge bank which will be continuously reviewed and updated by GC’s experienced advisors. This means that users can expect to see ongoing improvements and benefits as the technology and content evolves.
If the user is unsure where to start the chatbot will provide a series of prompts based on commonly asked questions or will direct the individual to an expert advisor.
The GenAI chatbot is aimed at any individual or business in, or interested in Greater Manchester, looking for business support advice and information on a range of topics including funding, innovation, people, sales and sustainability.