Free AI help
Free AI help for businesses in Bristol and Bath
A list of free and low-cost places to learn AI as a small business owner in Bristol, Bath and the South West: meetups, business support and online courses. I check every entry by hand. Last checked 26 October 2026.
Regular AI meetups in Bristol
Groups that meet most months. Good for seeing what other people are doing with AI.
- Mindstone Bristol AI Meetup
Talks and demos for founders, people using AI at work and anyone curious about where it's heading.
- Where:
- Origin Workspace, 40 Berkeley Square, Bristol
- When:
- Monthly, weekday evenings
- Cost:
- The November 2026 meetup is listed as free
- Bristol AI Automations
A meetup on automating work with AI. The December 2026 session is aimed at non-technical people.
- Where:
- DeskLodge House, Redcliffe, Bristol
- When:
- Monthly, Wednesday evenings
- Cost:
- Check the listing
- Bristol AI Ethics
Discussion of responsible AI, open to anyone interested.
- Where:
- Torchbox, 15 Colston Street, Bristol
- When:
- Monthly, weekday evenings
- Cost:
- Check the listing
- Bristol AI Shed
Practical AI for business owners, operators and independent professionals, beginners included.
- Where:
- Watershed, 1 Canon's Road, Bristol
- When:
- Breakfast sessions, dates announced on Eventbrite
- Cost:
- Check the listing
- Green Tech South West
Events on technology and sustainability, including AI's environmental impact.
- Where:
- Bristol
- When:
- Regular evening events
- Cost:
- Check the listing
Business support
Programmes and sessions aimed at small and medium-sized businesses.
- BCC AI Academy, through Business West
A practical programme from the British Chambers of Commerce for small and medium-sized businesses starting out with AI or using more of it.
- Where:
- Business West, the chamber of commerce for Bristol, Bath and the West of England
- When:
- Enquire through the page
- Cost:
- Check with Business West
- Catalyst events at the Bristol NatWest Accelerator
Short sessions for businesses in any sector. This one covers adopting new technology to grow.
- Where:
- NatWest Accelerator Hub, 2 Avon Street, Bristol
- When:
- Tech Adoption for Growth with Business West, Thu 5 Nov 2026, 10am
- Cost:
- Ticketed, check the listing
Coming up
One-off events worth a look.
- Conversations on AI: Can Bristol Shape AI for Good?
Run by AI West. No technical knowledge needed.
- Where:
- KPMG Bristol, 66 Queen Square
- When:
- Tue 10 Nov 2026, 5:30pm
- Cost:
- Ticketed, check the listing
- Are We Heading for a Labour Market AI-pocalypse?
A Festival of Economics talk on AI and work, for employers, workers and anyone interested.
- Where:
- Watershed, Bristol
- When:
- Wed 18 Nov 2026
- Cost:
- Ticketed, check the listing
Learn online, free
For when you'd rather start on your own.
- Claude 101, from Anthropic
A beginner course on using Claude, about two and a half hours, no technical skills needed.
- Where:
- Online
- When:
- Any time
- Cost:
- Free, email sign-up
- Make AI Work for You, from Google
Short videos on using AI for email, marketing, finances and meeting follow-ups. Google's certificate scholarship on the same page is for US businesses only.
- Where:
- Online (YouTube videos)
- When:
- Any time
- Cost:
- Free
- Create With: AI events in Bristol
A running list of AI events in Bristol, from meetups to workshops.
- Where:
- Listings site
- When:
- Updated as events are added
- Cost:
- Free to browse
Run something in Bath or Bristol?
I haven't found a regular AI meetup in Bath yet. If you run a free or low-cost AI event, course or support scheme for small businesses anywhere in the South West, email richard@dayeight.co.uk and I'll check it and add it.
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