FSB Business Support CafeFriday 16th January 2026

Business Support Café: ChatGPT & Beyond - the Free AI Tools Helping Business

Join us for an informal FSB virtual AI session looking at some of the common – and less common – free AI suites out there that businesses just like yours are already using to make everyday tasks easier and faster to complete, with better results!

We will be welcoming Business Innovation Advisor Billy Gilchrist to present an interactive session on the applications of AI and how you can use it streamline simple business tasks, improve your creativity, and help you build a head of steam into 2026 and beyond, freeing up more of your time for efforts elsewhere in the business.

You’ll learn how to:-

• Use ChatGPT (et al) to write content, automate admin tasks and generate ideas. Loads of tips and hacks!

• Create social media posts, websites and presentations using Gamma.app.

• Produce AI-powered videos with voiceovers using Synthesia.io.

• Turn messy notes and documents into useable insights using Notebook.LM – and even create your own podcast!

• Automate mini tools and app building without having to code using Zapt.ai.

• Q&A – pick the expert’s brains on all things AI!

Whether you’re just starting your AI adventure, or already have a fairly sound knowledge base and are looking at next steps, this session will help you access the insights to help you plan, adapt, and grow your AI knowledge and application with confidence.

More about your speakers…

Billy Gilchrist is the Business Innovation Advisor at Hopwood Hall College, working as part of Innovate UK’s Greater Manchester Further Education Innovation Programme (GMFEIP).

With a background in electrical engineering and years of experience supporting local businesses, Billy now helps companies across Greater Manchester understand and adopt AI in practical, cost-effective ways.

https://www.hopwood.ac.uk/gm-fe-innovation-programme/

Billy’s sessions are known for cutting through the hype, offering honest advice, and giving attendees real ideas they can apply immediately. His talk will be a fast-paced, example-led look at how AI is changing business now—and why it pays to get on board early.