The Government's trial grants for small businesses to roll out artificial intelligence (AI) have been extended by six months, with another 120 businesses coming on board.
The AI Advisory Pilot was launched at the start of 2026, to deliver advice to small businesses and co-fund grants of up to $15,000 to develop AI roadmaps and the costs to roll it out through the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE).
That includes where to use AI, recommended tools, costs, and steps to do it, then the additional support funds setting up the AI tools and integrating it into current systems, testing and also training staff.
Small Business Minister Cameron Brewer said it would now run until mid-2027, with 150 businesses having already gone through the pilot.
"Plenty of small business owners can see AI could save them time and money. What they often don't have is the time or in-house expertise to know where to start. That's the gap this pilot fills," he said.
"With the right support, a local manufacturer, tradie or retailer can use it to cut the admin, work smarter and spend more time on what they do best."
MBIE runs the pilot through its Regional Business Partner Network, which has co-funded 256 AI-related courses for more than 600 businesses.
Most parties have not yet announced AI policies ahead of November's election. Labour, which released its policy earlier this month, promised it would support small businesses adopt AI safely through an AI small business fund, extend the AI Advisory Pilot, and increase to the Founder and Startup Support Programme.
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