Unitas officially launches AI Academy for members and suppliers

Unitas Wholesale has officially launched its new AI Academy.

Offered in partnership with PAIR, an AI educational platform used by global brands, the Unitas AI Academy offers its members and suppliers three courses. These are led by experts and designed to give individuals a solid starting point to develop their confidence and capability in using AI through the lens of the wholesale sector.

The courses – Fundamentals, Proficiency and Mastery – provide the essential tools and techniques needed to support businesses to explore and adopt the latest AI opportunities in order for their teams to save time, improve efficiency and stay ahead of the competition.

Belinda Parkinson, head of marketing at Unitas, said: “As the UK’s largest buying group, we wanted to lead the way in AI and provide our members and supplier partners with the skills and confidence to embrace AI and futureproof their business.

“The Unitas AI Academy not only provides insight into how the latest technology can be utilised to elevate your business performance, but because the training is personalised and contextual to meet the specific needs of your team, your business and the wholesale sector, it uses real-world examples which means it delivers genuine business impact, which is invaluable.”

Before officially launching the Academy, Unitas trialled the approach and content with a number of wholesale members, including Lioncroft Wholesale, RD Johns, Pricecheck, Robinsons Fresh Foods and Filshill. Each of them had varying levels of experience using AI to ensure the Academy delivered results at each of the three levels.

“We have been delighted with how our members have benefitted from taking part in the trial,” said Parkinson. “The Academy has enabled their teams to elevate their understanding of AI from the same starting point so the whole business can benefit from the efficiencies AI can bring.

“In the trial, every team member, regardless of their experience and initial feelings about AI, were able to significantly expand their knowledge and understanding and then take that back to their business and put it straight into practice.”

John Kinney, CEO of Unitas, said: “There is no doubt AI will be driving our industry, and the wider world, forward at pace over the coming months and years and our members will no longer have to fear being left behind, thanks to the Unitas AI Academy.”