How sherloc Is Leveraging AI to Empower SME Decision-Making

A discussion with Aaron Sidwell, Head of Product Strategy at sherloc

At sherloc, we believe AI isn’t just a buzzword — it’s a tool to radically improve how small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) make decisions. As markets shift and data multiplies, our mission is to help business leaders cut through the noise and act with clarity. That’s where AI comes in. 

From Insight to Action: AI as a Strategic Enabler 

Our platform already combines historical financial data, business models, market trends, and macroeconomic indicators. But the next evolution is about real-time responsiveness. AI will allow sherloc to: 

• Aggregate and analyse data faster than any human team could. 

• Surface insights users didn’t even know to ask for. 

• Recommend actions based on predictive and prescriptive analytics. 

We’re moving beyond dashboards and reports. We’re building a system that doesn’t just inform — it guides. 

Trust First: AI That’s Transparent and Verifiable 

We know trust is non-negotiable. That’s why our AI doesn’t operate in a vacuum. Every insight it delivers is backed by verifiable sources — from institutions like Bloomberg and the Bank of England to sector-specific data providers. 

We’re designing sherloc’s AI to be: 

• Transparent: Users can trace every recommendation back to its source. 

• Accountable: Multiple AI systems cross-check each other before surfacing insights. 

• Human-validated: Our team remains in the loop to ensure quality and relevance. 

Agentic Intelligence: The Next Frontier 

We’re moving towards agentic data. It’s more than predictive or prescriptive — it’s actionable. In the next 6–12 months, sherloc will begin deploying AI agents that can: 

• Identify tasks users need to complete (e.g. applying for a loan, contacting suppliers). 

• Execute those tasks autonomously, with user approval. 

• Adapt to disruptions (like supply chain issues) and suggest alternatives in real time. 

Imagine a platform that not only tells you what’s happening — but helps you respond instantly. That’s the future we’re building. 

Balancing Automation with Human Oversight 

We’re not handing over control to machines. We’re creating a system where AI augments human decision-making. Whether it’s scenario planning or financial forecasting, sherloc’s AI will always be: 

• Checked by multiple models (e.g. Grok, ChatGPT, Claude). 

• Reviewed by our team before critical decisions are surfaced. 

• Open to user feedback, so SMEs can flag inaccuracies and help us improve. 

Why It Matters 

AI won’t replace SME leaders. But it will transform how they lead. By embedding AI into sherloc’s core, we’re giving users: 

• Faster access to insights. 

• Smarter recommendations. 

• A clearer path from data to decision. 

In a world of uncertainty, sherloc is building tools that help SMEs act with confidence — powered by AI, but always grounded in human expertise.