Edinburgh Business Named Among the UK’s Top 100 AI Leaders for 2026
Edinburgh-area Business and Happiness Psychologist Julie Begbie has been named in the Foundever AI100 UK 2026, recognising 100 people helping to shape the use and understanding of artificial intelligence across the UK.
Julie, who is based near Edinburgh and is the founder of The Happy AI Company and The Happy AI Club, has built her work around making AI practical and accessible for small business owners who do not consider themselves particularly technical.
An AI Trainer and AI Entrepreneur of the Year finalist at the Great British Entrepreneur Awards 2025, Julie combines her background in psychology, learning and development and workplace happiness with practical AI training and support.
Rather than teaching people how to become AI experts, Julie helps small businesses find simple ways to use AI to save time, reduce admin, improve visibility, follow up with customers and make running a business feel easier.
Julie said:
“I am absolutely delighted to be included in the AI100.
“What makes this especially meaningful to me is that I have never approached AI from the point of view of trying to turn people into technology experts.
“I’m a psychologist first, so I’m fascinated by what helps people feel confident enough to actually use new technology.
“There are so many brilliant small business owners who know AI is changing the way we work, but who are quietly thinking, ‘I’m not techy enough for this.’
“My mission is to show them that they absolutely can use it.
“You don’t need to learn to code or understand everything happening under the bonnet. You need to know where AI can genuinely make your working life easier while keeping the parts of your business that need your personality, experience and human brilliance.
“For me, human plus AI will always be the answer.”
Julie now works with small businesses across Scotland and the UK, helping them use AI for real everyday challenges including customer communication, marketing, follow-up, repetitive administration and creating their own AI team members.
She added:
“AI is moving incredibly quickly, but I don’t want small businesses to feel they are being left behind.
“I want them to feel excited about what is possible.
“If someone who doesn’t describe themselves as particularly technical can suddenly save hours, get more visible or finally remove a job they hate doing, that’s when AI becomes meaningful.”
The Foundever AI100 UK 2026 list was announced on Wednesday 23 September.
A public vote will now take place alongside judging, with the final rankings and category winners announced at a celebration lunch at the House of Lords on Friday 16 October.
Julie has been invited to attend the event, which will be hosted by Lord Ranger of Northwood.