AI Aware

The AI Aware Standard for UK businesses

Your clients are going to ask how you handle AI. Have the proof ready.

Big buyers, funders and public bodies already ask suppliers about AI in tenders and questionnaires. AI Aware checks your cyber security, your AI policy, your transparency statement and your leaders' training. When it all stacks up, you get a badge they can check.

Claim a Founding Member place See how it works

25 Founding Member places. First come, first served.

AI AWARE

Why now

The questions have already started

Tenders ask about AI

UK government bids now ask whether you used AI to write your bid, whether you checked it, and whether AI will be part of what you deliver.

Big companies set rules for suppliers

Large UK firms, BT among them, now expect suppliers to have an AI policy, train their staff and have a person check AI work.

EU clients have a legal duty

Since August 2026, EU businesses must take steps on AI literacy, and that reaches people working on their behalf. If you supply EU clients, expect them to ask you for records.

What the badge tells people

Buyers are asking about AI. This is your answer.

Clients, funders and procurement teams are starting to ask suppliers how they handle AI. The badge shows you've done the groundwork and you're keeping on top of it.

Your leaders are trained

At least 80% of your leadership team has done CPD-certified AI training, with dated records.

Your policy has been checked

We review your AI use policy against the ICO's guidance on AI and data protection.

You're open about AI

A "How we use AI" statement we've reviewed, so clients know where AI is used and where it isn't.

Your systems are protected

You hold Cyber Essentials, the UK government-backed baseline for cyber security.

How it works

From application to badge in about 90 days

We're the checker. We review your evidence, tell you what's missing, and point you to the right help where you need it.

  1. Apply

    5 minutes

    Tell us about your business and your leadership team using the form below.

  2. Onboarding call

    Within a week

    We go through what you already have, what's missing, and confirm your fee.

  3. Send your evidence

    Up to 90 days

    Your Cyber Essentials certificate, AI policy, "How we use AI" statement and leaders' training records. We check them and tell you what needs fixing. Missing something? We'll point you to the right provider. You can show a "Working towards" badge meanwhile.

  4. Get your badge

    Renewed yearly

    Certificate, badge, brand pack and a public verify page your clients can check.

What's included

What you get as a member

Prove it

  • Certificate and a public verify page with your renewal date
  • AI evidence pack: training log, policy, tool list, data rule and review step
  • Tender pack with ready answers to common supplier AI questions
  • "How we use AI" statement for your website
  • Signed commitments you can share with clients
  • Introductions to AI training and Cyber Essentials providers if you need them

Tell people

  • Badge files for your website, email signature and proposals
  • LinkedIn post and press release templates
  • Listing in the AI Aware member directory
  • A welcome post from AI Aware on LinkedIn
  • Founding Member status for the first 25 businesses

Stay informed

  • Monthly newsletter: what's changed, recent AI incidents and what they mean for you
  • Quarterly webinar with a guest speaker
  • Resource library with recordings and templates
  • AI use, data and staff acceptable use policy templates

What you need to show us

Five things. We check every one.

Anyone can put a logo on a website. You bring the evidence and we check it. We don't sell you the fixes, so the badge means something.

We recheck your evidence every year. The badge is only valid while your membership is active. If it lapses, the badge comes down and your verify page shows it as expired.
CECertificate

Cyber Essentials

Show us a current Cyber Essentials certificate. Not certified yet? We'll refer you to a certification body who can get you there.

80%Leaders

Leadership team trained

At least 80% of your leaders, or your top three tiers of management, have done CPD-certified AI training. Show us the dated records. Not there yet? We'll recommend training providers.

ICOChecked

AI policy

Send us your AI use policy. We check it against ICO guidance and a named person confirms the result. No policy yet? We can draft one for an extra fee.

LiveStatement

"How we use AI" statement

A short statement on your website saying where you use AI and where you don't. We review it before you go live.

SignedAgreement

Membership agreement

You agree to share the monthly newsletter with your leadership team and send someone to every quarterly webinar, live or on catch-up.

The six commitments

What every member signs up to

A director signs these on behalf of the business.

Human first

A named person checks AI work before it reaches a client or customer.

Informed

Our leaders are trained and keep up to date as AI changes.

Safe

Client and personal data doesn't go into AI tools that train on it.

Honest

We'll tell you where we use AI and answer your questions about it.

Accountable

We have a written policy and a way to record and fix AI mistakes.

Committed

We review our approach every year and keep our membership active.

FAQs

Common questions

Who is AI Aware for?

Small and medium businesses and charities, especially those that supply larger organisations or the public sector. If your team uses AI tools, or your clients are starting to ask whether you do, it's for you.

Does the badge mean we use AI?

No. It means you understand AI and make sensible decisions about it. Some members use AI every day. Some have decided to use very little. Both can be AI Aware.

How long does it take?

Most businesses get their badge within 90 days of their onboarding call. It depends on how quickly your leadership team can make the training dates.

What does it cost?

A one-off application fee, then a monthly membership fee, both set by your staff numbers. Charities and social enterprises get 25% off. Training isn't included, so you don't pay twice if your leaders are already trained. Use the calculator above for an estimate. We confirm your fee before you commit to anything.

Our leaders have already had AI training. Does that count?

Yes, as long as it was CPD-certified and you have dated records. We check them at onboarding. If you're not at 80% yet, we'll recommend training providers.

Do we need Cyber Essentials?

Yes. It's one of the five things we check. If you don't have it yet, we'll refer you to a certification body, and you can show a "Working towards" badge while you get it.

Is this a legal certification?

No. AI Aware is a membership and trust mark. It shows you hold Cyber Essentials, have trained leaders, have an AI policy we've checked against ICO guidance, and publish a reviewed statement on how you use AI. It doesn't certify that you comply with any law, and we're careful not to claim that it does.

Who runs it?

AI Aware is run by Ceri Davies, who has worked with businesses and charities across Wales on AI. We check your evidence, award the badge and run your membership. Where you need training or Cyber Essentials, we point you to providers.

Pricing

What it costs

A one-off application fee covers your checks and your "Working towards" badge. Then a monthly membership fee. Both are set by how many people you employ.

What kind of organisation are you?
How long would you like to sign up for?
Small band
£95
a month
Application fee
£495
Year 1 total
£1,635

Apply now

Estimate only. Prices are shown without VAT and confirmed before you sign anything. The application fee is non-refundable once agreed.

Apply

Claim a Founding Member place

Takes about five minutes. Applying doesn't commit you to anything.

  • We'll be in touch within two working days
  • Your onboarding call confirms scope and fee
  • You only pay once you're happy to go ahead
25 Founding Member placesFor the first businesses to join. Your name goes on the founding list.

What's prompting you to apply? Tick any that apply

We only use your details to process your application. See our privacy notice.