Marvin OnumonuThe Association of Business Mentors (ABM) reported a 100% rise in small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) mentoring focused on artificial intelligence (AI) as a business challenge or opportunity.
This increase came as ABM published its new white paper, AI and the Future of Business Mentoring.
The report looked at how AI is changing decision-making in smaller businesses, the skills mentors need, and the ethical and governance issues now cropping up in mentoring sessions.
It also covered the risks of overconfidence and inaction with AI, and made the point that structured mentoring helps SMEs weigh up AI against their business priorities, resources and risk.
ABM said professional mentors play a crucial role in helping businesses turn policy into practical action on the ground.
The white paper highlighted a sharp rise in mentoring sessions where AI was the main topic, from productivity and innovation to data protection and workforce impact.
Georgina Waite, CEO at the ABM, said: “Business mentoring has always been about combining lived experience with practical guidance to help business leaders and entrepreneurs grow as individuals, grow their business, and support their wellbeing.
“Today, that role is being reframed because of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
“With this report our aim is to give mentors, SME leaders and stakeholders across the mentoring ecosystem a clear picture of what is changing, where support is most needed, and how the profession can evolve responsibly.”
Ben Jacobs, chief project officer at the ABM and author of the AI and the Future of Business Mentoring report, said: “AI is moving from experiment to everyday reality in UK businesses, but leaders don’t just need tools – they need trusted human guides.
“By relying on professional business mentors – guides who bring empathy, business expertise and human judgement – the UK can ensure an AI future that is innovative and human at its core.
“By enabling businesses to adopt AI with confidence, mentors help unlock productivity gains, strengthen competitiveness and stimulate innovation.”
Jacobs added: “The benefits extend far beyond profit – resilient, well‑led businesses underpin healthier local economies and stronger communities.
“I hope this report will be an important to encouraging that human and AI partnership.”
Since late September 2025, 200 mentors have enrolled on the Association’s AI for Business Mentors Course.
The course, run by the ABM Training Centre, gives mentors hands-on experience with practical AI tools, and covers data security, privacy, ethical use, and change management.
It is intended to help mentors support business leaders in making informed decisions on AI use.
Liz King, training centre manager at the ABM, said: “As a training centre we are thrilled to see mentors engaged in these activities, seeing first-hand how small training interventions with mentors create a snowball effect on the multiple businesses that they support.”
