Small businesses in the UK are on the brink of a productivity revolution. Through a partnership with OpenAI, eBay has launched a £3 million initiative called AI Activate to assist up to 10,000 UK SMBs in adopting advanced AI productivity tools (TechRadar). This program offers 12 months of complimentary access to ChatGPT Enterprise, coupled with detailed training and support for crafting bespoke AI solutions (TechRadar).
Craig Hale
The aim is to democratize AI access for SMBs eager to leverage AI but lacking resources or expertise (TechRadar). AI Activate seeks to empower smaller firms, enabling them to compete more effectively in the digital economy.
AI Activate is tailored to boost AI adoption amongst eBay’s small business network. The initiative is open to any eBay seller, with an initial cohort of 10,000 businesses set to join (UKTN). Participants gain free access to ChatGPT Enterprise for a year and receive personalized training alongside hands-on support (TechRadar).
Kirstie Pickering
The curriculum covers high-impact areas like financial analysis, marketing, and inventory management (eBay Inc.). The program’s focus is to relieve entrepreneurs from repetitive tasks, allowing them to concentrate on strategic growth.
AI Activate is more than just software—it's practical guidance. Each business is supported in creating custom GPT-powered workflows tailored to their unique needs (Value Added Resource).
Liz Morton
eBay’s team assists sellers in deploying AI agents for tasks like product description writing and sales analysis.
“We designed the training based on seller feedback about where AI can save the most time and boost productivity,” eBay asserts, highlighting finance and marketing as key focus areas (UKTN).
This approach ensures that small businesses gain not just access but the ability to use AI effectively.
The program begins in late 2025 with online training, expanding to in-person workshops in 2026 (TechRadar). This timing aligns with a trend: nearly one-third of UK SMEs now use AI daily, while over half are experimenting with AI in some form (TechRadar). Yet, many business owners remain unsure how to fully exploit AI’s potential for their operations (eBay Inc.). AI Activate aims to transform curiosity into confident usage.
AI Activate is rooted in the promise of boosting team productivity through generative AI. ChatGPT Enterprise offers enterprise-grade features such as enhanced data privacy, team management tools, single sign-on, and increased usage limits (AI Magazine; AllAboutAI). These capabilities enable teams to collaborate securely while ensuring business data remains protected.
The impact on business is significant. OpenAI reports that 28% of U.S. adults used ChatGPT for work in 2025, up from 8% in 2023 (TechRadar). Sectors like customer service and law have seen faster response times and reduced effort on routine tasks (TechRadar).
For small businesses, the advantages are clear: 84% of SMEs using AI report better decision-making and cost reductions (TechRadar). Automating tasks like email drafting or report generation frees teams to tackle more strategic work.
eBay’s experience underscores AI’s potential. The company has implemented ChatGPT Enterprise for its global workforce (eBay Inc.), enhancing creativity and productivity. Over 10 million eBay sellers have used AI tools to generate more than 300 million product listings, boosting sales significantly (eBay Inc.). The takeaway: user-friendly AI tools, alongside training, can enable small teams to achieve more without increasing staff.
AI is leveling the playing field for SMBs. Once exclusive to large companies, advanced AI capabilities are now accessible to smaller firms. OpenAI’s Chief Economist Ronnie Chatterji emphasizes,
“Small businesses power the UK economy, yet they’ve lacked the tools to drive productivity like larger companies… this is where to start” (eBay Inc.).
By providing world-class AI tools to 10,000 UK entrepreneurs, AI Activate is investing in the economy's backbone, closing the productivity gap between large and small businesses.
eBay UK’s General Manager, Eve Williams, stresses:
“The issue isn’t whether businesses should adopt AI, but how fast they can start before competitors do. Delaying adoption risks being left behind” (eBay Inc.).
Nitzan Mekel-Bobrov, eBay’s Chief AI Officer, states that eBay is “all-in” on AI, viewing it as an opportunity to redefine commerce (eBay Inc.).
“With AI Activate, we’re extending that vision to small businesses,” he adds (eBay Inc.).
Providing small retailers access to the same AI tools as industry giants enables them to innovate and grow, rather than risk being disrupted.
The macroeconomic potential is substantial. In the UK, SMBs represent 99% of businesses and 60% of private-sector jobs (TechRadar). Government officials note that a 1% increase in SME growth annually could add £320 billion to the UK economy by 2030 (eBay Inc.). The IMF estimates that broad AI adoption could boost UK GDP by £470 billion by 2035 (eBay Inc.). AI adoption is not just about individual business success—it’s about national economic competitiveness.
For leaders and IT decision-makers, AI Activate is a blueprint and a call to action. The message is clear: AI adoption is essential for competitive survival. Leaders should ask not “if,” but how quickly and effectively they can integrate AI (eBay Inc.). A strategic first step is education—98% of SMBs using AI invest in employee training (Kiplinger). Conduct workshops on AI best practices, encourage experimentation, and embed AI literacy into your culture.
IT decision-makers should prioritize enterprise-grade AI solutions that address data privacy and governance. ChatGPT Enterprise, for instance, offers encryption, SSO, admin controls, and data sharing restrictions (AllAboutAI). Establish clear guidelines for AI usage, define tasks AI can support, and create feedback loops for ongoing improvement.
Focus on high-impact, repetitive tasks first. eBay’s research highlights opportunities in bookkeeping automation, rapid marketing content generation, trend analysis, and customer Q&A (eBay Inc.). Every business will have its own list, but the principle is universal: target use cases that save time or enhance decision quality.
Finally, leverage partnerships and expert resources. SMBs in AI Activate benefit from OpenAI’s expertise, and organizations of all sizes can tap into vendor-led AI academies or partner with consultants to fast-track adoption. Collaborate with IT, seek custom solutions, and treat AI as a strategic productivity investment.
eBay’s AI Activate initiative marks a turning point: AI is becoming a great equalizer for businesses of all sizes. By providing access to advanced tools and comprehensive training, the program shows that success in the AI era hinges on digital savvy rather than sheer size. Early results are encouraging—when equipped with AI, small businesses automate, analyze, and innovate with efficiency once reserved for large enterprises. Data demonstrates this trend: most small businesses plan to adopt AI, and many are already reaping tangible benefits (U.S. Chamber of Commerce; TechRadar).
The imperative for teams everywhere: embedding AI into operations is crucial for productivity and competitiveness. Organizations that act swiftly—upskilling teams and adopting secure, enterprise-ready tools—will capture efficiency, innovation, and agility benefits. Those that delay will face growing disadvantages. AI Activate illustrates how a strategic rollout, with thoughtful training and safeguards, can transform AI from a buzzword into a practical ally.
As eBay’s GM Eve Williams states, the companies that embrace AI now will be best positioned to “win nationally and globally” in this new era (eBay Inc., eBay Inc.). By strategically leveraging AI, both small businesses and large organizations can unlock new levels of productivity, agility, and innovation—turning challenges into opportunities and ensuring their teams thrive in the age of AI-driven business.
The bottom line: AI is no longer a distant promise for tech giants. With initiatives like eBay’s AI Activate, practical AI tools and expertise are accessible to the backbone of the economy—small and medium-sized businesses. Organizations embracing this shift, investing in skills, and fostering a culture of experimentation will not only keep pace but set the standard for what’s possible in modern commerce (TechRadar, U.S. Chamber of Commerce).
