“AI is an essential tool for improving efficiency, driving innovation and creating value, when used wisely and responsibly.”
There is no single route towards AI adoption. Every region, organisation and SME starts from a different position. In our Meet the Boost AI Partners series, we introduce the people and organisations working together to make Artificial Intelligence more practical, safe and accessible for smaller businesses across North-West Europe.
This time, we meet Nawal Bouin, Project Officer at Normandy Region in France, who contributes to the facilitation of Normandy’s regional data ecosystems.
Building a regional ecosystem around data and AI
As a regional authority, Normandy Region is responsible, among others, for economic development and innovation. Through DataLab Normandie, it brings together higher education and research institutions, companies and local authorities to support the region’s digital transformation through data and AI.
The initiative focuses on raising awareness, building capacity, supporting innovative data-based services and connecting Normandy’s wider community of data and AI experts. Through her work, Nawal helps to make existing AI solutions, collaborative projects and expertise available to organisations across the region.
Why should SMEs start exploring AI now?
For Nawal, the conversation about AI starts with data:
“Data is a gold mine for every organisation including small businesses.”
But SMEs do not have to navigate through AI alone. Across North-West Europe, expertise, infrastructure and business support organisations are available to help companies explore AI in a secure, efficient and accessible way.
Finding the right support — and an approach adapted to the individual needs of the business — can be an important first step.
AI is more than generative AI
Lack of internal expertise, data privacy and an increasingly complex legal landscape are among the concerns Nawal encounters when talking to SMEs. Regulations including the AI Act, DMA, GDPR and NIS2 can add to this uncertainty.
There is also a tendency to think of AI primarily as generative AI, while other forms, including predictive or agentic AI, may sometimes be better suited to a company’s needs.
And implementing AI requires preparation.
“The use of AI cannot be done by the wave of a magic wand.”
Data may need significant processing before AI can be used effectively. For SMEs, understanding the steps involved, the resources required and the potential results can help take away some of the fear of getting started.
Making AI practical: no technical jargon
This is also where Nawal sees an important role for Boost AI:
“AI literacy plans and no technical jargon!”
Making AI practical means providing businesses with understandable information and resources, such as toolboxes, guidelines, MOOCs and access to relevant contacts.
Business support organisations and innovation agencies can then deliver step-by-step support, taking into account the needs and limitations of individual organisations.
Bringing the regional perspective to Boost AI
Normandy Region brings its knowledge of the territory, regional stakeholders and public policy to Boost AI. The Region is directly involved in developing Normandy’s regional AI strategy and rolling it out to local organisations, supported by the expertise within the DataLab Normandie network.
Working across six countries also allows partners to exchange experiences and good practices. Although regional circumstances and levels of administrative autonomy differ, many of the challenges are shared: helping SMEs adopt AI, providing practical information and tools, and developing strategies for its responsible use.
What would success look like in 2028?
By 2028, Nawal hopes SMEs involved in Boost AI will have a clearer understanding of how Artificial Intelligence can benefit them and access to a practical AI toolkit to support them.
Success should also extend beyond individual businesses. The project’s results can contribute to defining or improving regional AI strategies and action plans across North-West Europe, supporting further AI training and adoption.
Ultimately, Nawal’s message to SMEs combines the opportunity AI offers with the importance of responsible adoption:
“AI is an essential tool for improving efficiency, driving innovation and creating value, when used wisely and responsibly.”
About Normandy Region and DataLab Normandie
Normandy Region is responsible for economic development and innovation. Through DataLab Normandie, it connects higher education and research, businesses and local authorities to strengthen the regional data ecosystem.
Within Boost AI, Normandy Region brings its regional network, knowledge of local stakeholders, public policy experience and expertise in developing and implementing regional approaches to data and AI.
About Boost AI
Boost AI brings together partners across North-West Europe to help smaller SMEs build their capacity to use Artificial Intelligence in a practical, safe and responsible way. The project focuses particularly on SMEs in agrifood, hospitality and small-scale manufacturing.
Follow Boost AI for more partner stories, project updates and practical insights into AI adoption for SMEs.