Edition 2: AI for growth

Welcome back to the Sage Download, our monthly newsletter covering everything you need to know about how technology is driving business growth around the world.?

This is the second edition, and we’re thrilled by the response to January’s newsletter – so far, over 73,000 subscribers have joined us and we’re just getting started. A warm welcome to all our readers. We’d love to hear from you – leave a comment to share your thoughts on what you've read so far and let us know what topics you'd like us to cover in the future.?

In this month’s edition, we’re shining a spotlight on Artificial Intelligence (AI) as Sage marks the first anniversary of its generative AI-powered assistant, Sage Copilot. Over the past year, more than 40,000 early adopter small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) and accountants across five key markets – the UK, US, France, Spain and Germany – have gained access to Sage Copilot in multiple languages, with 11,000 actively using it.??

We’re cutting through the hype to give SMBs, accountants and other finance professionals practical insights on using AI to drive productivity, reduce costs, and unlock new revenue streams. Many businesses have yet to tap into its full potential or are using it in a behind-the-scenes capacity. That’s why we’re focusing on the journey of adopting AI strategically and safely, as it evolves from a differentiator to a core driver of growth.?

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Sage Copilot: an AI accountant in your pocket?

To kick off our deep dive, Sage’s Product Leader Lisa Ewens set out to find out more about how one business owner is approaching the technology.??

Watch her interview with Andrew Dick FCA ? , Sage customer and owner of a family-run firm of chartered accountants based in the UK, on what he’s seeing and hearing in this space. They delve into topics from the skills gap to the necessity of shifting perceptions from human vs. AI to human + AI, and the urgent need for clear regulations and industry standards.??

Seven steps for SMBs to get started with AI?

Research suggests that while many SMBs recognise AI could deliver all sorts of benefits for their business, there are anxieties there around issues such as cost, skills and the technicalities of new technology. Financial reporter David Prosser therefore sets out the simple steps you can take to get started with using AI in your business, which include insights from Sage’s David Dickson .??

The ethics of AI: how to ensure your firm is fair and transparent?

Financial journalist Chris Torney talks to a range of business experts to examine the ethics of AI. He explores why you should ensure you use AI and machine learning responsibly and in a way that aligns with your values – both to maximise potential benefits and to avoid reputational damage. He also explains how to identify the key AI-related risks within your organisation.?

For more insights, visit Sage's Newsroom

?What we're reading

Continuing our AI theme, the finance function is an area where new tools are having a major impact; the latest tech could supercharge your finance team’s output. And accountants can also put AI to use with a range of tools that will automate their most time-intensive tasks.?

Sage was on the ground at the AI Action Summit in Paris, where leaders came together to discuss advancements in AI and its societal impact. Aaron Harris , our Chief Technology Officer, wrote about some of the conversations that took place and the need for a stable safety framework that can guarantee business owners the protection of their data and an AI they can trust.??

As of February 2025, businesses across the European Union have to comply with the EU’s AI Act. The legislation covers issues such as trust and transparency, and applies to developers of AI systems as well as the firms that use the technology. Jaromir Gruber of Austria’s Solon Labs explains what the regulations mean for European SMBs.?

Productivity and efficiency benefits aside, AI is likely to have a transformational impact on global labour markets – the International Monetary Fund has forecast that around four in 10 jobs will be disrupted in some way. Writing for Business Connect Magazine, David Banaghan at recruitment software specialist Occupop, has taken a look at the implications for the UK jobs market, setting out policy measures needed to address the key challenges.?

What we're watching

Improving productivity is all about working more effectively and efficiently – but it’s a goal many businesses struggle to improve. That’s why we loved this fascinating masterclass with David Allen, the world-renowned creator of the “Getting Things Done Methodology”. We can all learn from him.?

AI has a hugely important role to play in communicating with customers and marketing in general, offering significant time savings. In this video, the experts at HubSpot Marketing take a deep dive into the free and low-cost AI tools that can transform the way you identify and sell to new markets.?

What we're listening to

This interview with Heather Murray couldn’t be more on-theme for this edition of the Sage Download. Heather is the founder of AI for Non-Techies, and in this episode of the Sound Advice podcast series, she’s full of great tips for putting technology to work in your business however IT-literate you may be.?

We hope you enjoy the Sage Download. Join us as we lead the conversation on how to use technology to unlock growth and help your business flow seamlessly into the future.?

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